The team of doctors at Fortis Hospitals, Cunningham road, worked together towards treating 37-year-old who had brain damage and was in coma for 30 days
Doctors at Fortis Hospitals, Cunningham road successfully treated a 37-year-old male patient who was suffering from severe brain damage and coma as a result of dengue fever. The dengue fever had major problem causing brain damage leading on to coma. The team of doctors was led by Dr Nithin Kumar N, Consultant Neurologist at Fortis Hospitals, Cunningham road, worked together towards treating the patient with a good outcome.
Deva, a railway employee, was suffering from fever for more than one week. When his consciousness deteriorated further, he was finally admitted into the emergency room at the hospital. After repeated fits or seizures, the patient slipped into coma. He was immediately put on the ventilator support and all required instructions were carried out, which included blood investigations, brain scan and spine fluid test. Investigations revealed that this patient had dengue infection. However, the MRI brain scan done showed severe brain injury in crucial parts of the brain.
The usual treatment for patients with dengue which includes fever, hydration and supportive care was not of much help. With no recognised option left, doctors considered medication which can modulate the altered immune system which has been considered rarely in some patients in the past with a small chance of good outcome. With such brain lesions, the chance of recovery is usually considered as very poor. With the collective team work from the doctors at Cunningham road, this patient survived.
Dr Kumar N, Consultant Neurologist at Fortis Hospitals, Cunningham road, said, “The case was complex and one of its kind as the patient’s brain lesions were unusual. The MRI of his brain showed pictures of dengue encephalitis, a rare manifestation of dengue fever, due to which his survival chances were minimal. However, we did not lose hope and continued the medications, even after being in coma for 30 days, with treatment of his immune system; he improved and was removed from the ventilator. He started showing positive signs like blinking and smiling. After few weeks’ time, he was removed from all forms of life support system. He became completely conscious by the mid of 5th week and started speaking coherently. He was recommended physiotherapy at home.”
Surprisingly, patient started showing good response by two weeks after this therapy. He started opening his eyes, started moving his hands and gradually started following verbal commands. By the next two weeks, he was off the ventilator and was able to speak clearly with significant recovery in his mental functions. With rehabilitation he was even able to stand with support and take two to three steps during discharge.
- Advertisement -
Comments are closed.