A 65-year-old elderly woman from France became the first in India to undergo a high cervical spinal cord stimulation. The woman was suffering from Parkinson's plus syndrome, a neurodegenerative disorder usually having limited surgical options, and was successfully treated at a private hospital in Bengaluru.
Parkinson's Plus Syndrome, also known as atypical parkinsonism, is a group of brain disorders that have symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease except for a few distinct differences such as early-onset dementia, hallucinations, and problems with balance, among others. However, unlike Parkinson's disease, these conditions are less likely to respond well to typical treatments.
The woman was diagnosed with the condition in 2019 and has been suffering from the neurological condition for the last four years.
She experienced numerous co-morbidities including stiffness in the legs, initial difficulty in walking, shuffling and freezing, poor control of movement in upper limbs, weakness, depression, loss of bladder control, speech impediments, and swallowing difficulties.
The patient was unable to walk for the last eight months and was wheelchair-bound. There was no progress in her condition despite visiting numerous hospitals in Africa, England, and Paris.
The team of doctors led by Dr. Raghuram G at Fortis Hospital, Bengaluru, and Dr. Guruprasad Hosurkar opted for an innovative approach, acknowledging the severity of the condition. The Additional Director of Neurosurgery at Fortis Hospital, Dr Raghuram explained that the patient underwent an "initial trial surgery utilizing an external pacemaker". Furthermore, the trial showed promising results with improved mobility and reduced symptoms.
"Spinal cord surgeries are different because they involve the placement of electrodes on the spinal cord chosen for a particular condition. It is an epidural electrode and is not put within the spinal cord. Unlike the deep brain stimulation electrode which is placed within the brain," he explained.
Following the successful surgery, the patient was discharged after 10 days and underwent rehabilitation to enhance her mobility. The doctors said that she experienced significant improvements in her condition, with minimal support required for walking, near elimination of bladder symptoms, enhanced speech, and improved swallowing ability.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Dr. Vineesha V/MSM)