Fortis doctors perform life-saving neuro procedure on 56-yr-old

In a case highlighting the critical role of advanced neuro-intervention, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Amritsar, successfully saved the life of a 56-year-old woman suffering from a sudden brain hemorrhage caused by a ruptured aneurysm, thanks to its cutting-edge neuro-intervention capabilities.

The patient initially sought consultation from Dr Manik Mahajan, Additional Director Neurology, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Amritsar, at Batala with a sudden severe headache accompanied by confusion and altered sensorium. An immediate CT scan revealed an acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), a critical condition requiring urgent care. She was promptly referred and transferred to Fortis Escorts Hospital for specialised neuro care.

A team of doctors, led by Dr Trimaan Singh Sikand, Consultant, Neurointervention at Fortis Escorts Hospital, Amritsar, performed an emergency Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) to get a detailed 3D view of the brain’s blood vessels and pinpoint the rupture. The procedure was followed by stent-assisted coiling, where thin microcatheters were navigated through the blood vessels to seal the aneurysm from within avoiding the need for open brain surgery. The results from DSA helped detect a swelling and rupture point in a left-sided intracranial vessel which was diagnosed as a complex and wide-neck shallow aneurysm, following which the stent-assisted coiling procedure was performed overnight.

Dr Manik Mahajan, Additional Director Neurology, said, “The first hour after a stroke or brain aneurysm, is what we call the golden hour, is absolutely crucial. If medical intervention begins within 4.5 hours of the onset, the chances of survival and complete recovery increase dramatically. Delays, even by minutes, can lead to irreversible brain damage like permanent disability and cognitive impair. Recognising symptoms like sudden severe headache, loss of balance, slurred speech or confusion and seeking immediate medical help can truly save live.”

Dr Trimaan Singh Sikand, Consultant, Neurointervention, said, “Brain hemorrhage due to a ruptured aneurysm is among the most devastating medical emergencies, yet it is often mistaken for a severe migraine or stress-related headache. In such cases, every minute truly counts, and our foremost goal was to seal the rupture swiftly to prevent further bleeding. With the support of our state-of-the-art medical technology, we were able to ensure timely diagnosis and intervention, which proved life-saving.”

The patient made a full recovery within five days. The case stresses upon the importance of timely recognition and treatment of brain-related emergencies. Brain hemorrhage due to a ruptured aneurysm affects one in 100 people in India and has high mortality rate, and is often mistaken for something as ordinary as accelerated hypertension (rise in blood pressure), acute severe migraine or a stress-induced headache due to lower awareness.