Bhubaneswar: In a remarkable case highlighting the importance of accurate diagnosis and advanced neurosurgical expertise, Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar successfully treated a 32-year-old HR professional from Bolani who had been suffering from severe chronic head pain for nearly four years following a traumatic workplace accident.

The patient sustained a life-threatening head injury in 2022 after a ceiling fan detached from the roof at his workplace and fell directly on him. The impact caused a severe head injury, while one of the fan blades struck his right shoulder. He immediately lost consciousness and was rushed to a nearby hospital before being referred to another healthcare facility for emergency treatment.

Although he regained consciousness after the initial treatment, he continued to suffer from persistent pain at the back of his head for nearly four years. Despite consulting specialists at reputed hospitals across Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Vellore and undergoing multiple investigations, the cause of his pain remained undiagnosed. His condition eventually worsened with recurrent pus discharge from the back of his head, prompting him to seek treatment at Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar on the recommendation of his organisation's management.

Following a comprehensive neurological evaluation and advanced imaging, Dr. Sunil Patra, Consultant – Neurosurgery, Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, identified multiple retained foreign bodies embedded in the patient's brain since the original accident, which had remained undetected for years and were causing persistent pain, recurrent infection, and pus discharge. As the fragments were located close to the visual cortex and the transverse sinus, making the surgery highly complex with risks of vision loss and severe bleeding, the neurosurgical team meticulously planned and successfully performed a delicate procedure to remove the foreign bodies while preserving critical brain structures. Appropriate antibiotic therapy and advanced surgical techniques were also used to treat the infection and prevent its recurrence.

The patient recovered well after surgery, experienced complete relief from the chronic head pain that had troubled him for four years, and was discharged in stable condition. He has since resumed his normal personal and professional life without any neurological deficits.

Speaking about the case, Dr. Sunil Patra, Consultant – Neurosurgery, Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, said, "This was an extremely challenging case because the retained foreign bodies were located near the visual cortex and the transverse sinus, a major venous channel of the brain. The surgery required meticulous planning and precise microsurgical techniques, as there was a significant risk of vision loss or severe bleeding. In addition to safely removing the foreign bodies, we also treated the chronic infection with appropriate antibiotics and surgical management to prevent recurrence. This case highlights the importance of thorough evaluation in patients with persistent symptoms following traumatic brain injury, even years after the initial accident."

This successful outcome underscores Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar's advanced neurosurgical capabilities, multidisciplinary expertise, and commitment to delivering precise diagnosis and life-changing treatment for complex neurological conditions, helping patients regain their health and quality of life.