In what can be termed a medical prodigy, a 28-year-old pregnant woman in the national capital suffering from spinal tuberculosis (TB) and paralysis for seven months has successfully delivered a healthy baby and also walked again.
On Monday, in a press conference, doctors said that the woman was admitted to the Fortis Hospital in Shalimar Bagh in the sixth month of her pregnancy. She had been experiencing pain in her back for months and also had weakness in both her legs. She was completely bed-ridden.
The woman was also unable to pass urine, necessitating a catheter. Along with all this, she was also suffering pain in her back for four months.
Doctors at Fortis Hospital Shalimar Bagh diagnosed her condition as spinal tuberculosis. An MRI disclosed spinal tuberculosis with severe spinal cord compression. Urgent surgery was required to relieve the pressure and stabilize her spine, said the doctors. Due to her pregnancy, the surgical procedure was complex. The doctors had to make her lie down in such a way that no pressure was exerted on the abdomen or fetus.
Unable to use traditional spinal fixation methods due to pregnancy-related X-ray restrictions, the doctors could not put screws in the unstable spine. But, as it was mandatory to insert screws (intervertebral titanium cage), the surgeons opted for a temporary wire fixation.
Additionally, anesthesia was carefully managed to be safe for both mother and baby.
Despite her condition, the woman remained hopeful and bedridden until the delivery of a healthy baby via C-section.
Post-delivery, after 15 days, unfortunately, an MRI revealed severe spinal cord swelling and an unstable collapsed spine with spinal cord compression.
To overcome this, another surgery was conducted through the side of her lung to remove tuberculosis tissue and stabilize the spine, involving the placement of a cage and screws to bridge the vertebral gap.
Three months after her surgery, the woman showed no leg movement, prompting a repeat MRI that showed ongoing spinal cord swelling.
Despite the difficult outlook, she and her husband stayed optimistic. They persevered through ongoing physical therapy and continued treatment for tuberculosis.
This perseverance paid off; over a period of time, her condition improved. Nine months into her TB treatment, she started walking. After completing an 18-month course of treatment, she fully regained her mobility.
Dr. Sonal Gupta, Director & HOD Neurosurgery, Fortis Hospital Shalimar Bagh, said in a statement, "This is the rarest case in medical history where a patient suffering from paralysis could be cured even after seven months of zero movements in the legs. TB spine in pregnancy is not very rare, but to become completely paraplegic and remain paraplegic for seven months and then make 100 percent recovery is what is rare, and that is what is miraculous".
"Survival of the baby was a challenge because of severe abdominal spasms due to spinal cord compression. Additionally, the surgery could not be completed in one go as there was a radiation risk to the fetus.
"However, with a never-give-up attitude, supportive family, and correct medical intervention, the patient is now free of tuberculosis and is leading a normal life. The prognosis for spinal tuberculosis is improved by early diagnosis and rapid intervention. If the patient was not treated on time, she would have remained bedridden and wheelchair-bound for the rest of her life," Dr. Sonal added.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Komal Bhoi/MSM)