Written By: Debjani Arora | Published : October 12, 2014 2:38 PM IST
In a first of its kind treatment for brain aneurysm, the doctors at the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) have performed the most advanced 'flow diverter pipeline stent' surgery in Kerela. The treatment was performed on a woman after she developed disturbances in vision due to a large aneurysm of the brain. A team of doctors from the Endovascular Division and Neurosurgery assisted in the operation. Even with the complications and sensitivity involved in the operation, the woman was given discharge within three days of the surgery proving that it was a success to rejoice by the doctors.
What is aneurysm?
An aneurysm is an abnormal widening or ballooning of a portion of an artery due to defects or weakness in some of the parts of the blood vessel wall and can occur throughout the body. It is not known why a person develops one. Some aneurysms are present at birth (congenital). It can also develop due to persistent stress to that part of the artery wall. Habits like smoking and diseases like high blood pressure, high cholesterol etc. can lead to its formation.
Some patients have complex aneurysms that are large and involve multiple branches of the blood vessel. Traditionally aneurysms are treated with major open skull base surgery and clipping, but the surgery is very complex and requires longer hospital stay.
How is 'flow diverter pipeline stent' different?
The flow diverter Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) is American FDA approved and a new alternative that allows for a more natural healing of the aneurysm avoiding a major open surgery of the brain. In the procedure the device is attached to the end of a catheter that is inserted through the Femoral artery in the right leg. The catheter is then threaded into the carotid artery of the brain and into its final position where it is then expanded against the walls of the artery to block off the mouth of the aneurysm, thus cutting off the blood flow into the aneurysm which later shrinks and heals over the next few months. The device also reduces the risk of the aneurysm rupture.
The procedure considerably reduces the hospital stay of the patient to two or three days and the recovery is fast in comparison with similar open surgeries. Amrita Hospital is one of the only six centers in India that is performing this specialized procedure. The Neurovascular center at Amrita Institute is also providing facilities to tackle the most difficult disease conditions involving the brain's blood vessels - including complex neurosurgical procedures, aneurysm coiling/stenting and stereotactic radiosurgery for vascular malformations of the brain.
The division also offers regular disease-specific screening programmes for carotid disease and stroke prevention, early detection of diseases of the brain's blood vessels.
Image courtesy: Getty Images
With inputs from PTI
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter.
