In a rare and remarkable neurosurgical case, doctors at Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar successfully treated a 32-year-old HR professional from Bolani who had been living with severe chronic head pain for nearly four years after a traumatic workplace accident.
The patient suffered a life-threatening head injury in 2022 when a ceiling fan detached from the roof at his workplace and fell directly on his head. One of the fan blades also struck his right shoulder. He lost consciousness immediately and was rushed to a nearby hospital before being referred to another medical facility for emergency care.
Although he regained consciousness after treatment, he continued to experience persistent pain at the back of his head for almost four years. Despite consulting specialists at reputed hospitals in Bengaluru, Kolkata and Vellore and undergoing multiple investigations, the underlying cause remained undetected. Over time, his condition worsened with recurrent pus discharge from the back of his head, eventually leading him to seek treatment at Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar on the recommendation of his organisation.
After conducting a detailed neurological evaluation and advanced imaging, Dr. Sunil Patra, Consultant – Neurosurgery, identified multiple retained foreign bodies embedded in the patient’s brain since the original accident. The fragments had gone unnoticed for years and were responsible for the chronic pain, repeated infections and pus discharge.
The surgery posed significant challenges because the foreign bodies were located close to the visual cortex and the transverse sinus, one of the brain’s major venous channels. Any error could have resulted in vision loss or severe bleeding. The neurosurgical team carefully planned and performed a complex microsurgical procedure to remove the retained fragments while preserving critical brain structures. Along with surgery, the patient received targeted antibiotic therapy to treat the chronic infection and prevent recurrence.
Following the operation, the patient made a smooth recovery and experienced complete relief from the debilitating head pain that had affected him for four years. He was discharged in stable condition and has since returned to his normal personal and professional life without any neurological deficits.
“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,” said Dr. Sunil Patra, Consultant – Neurosurgery, Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar.
The successful treatment highlights the importance of timely diagnosis, advanced imaging and specialised neurosurgical expertise in managing complex brain injuries, reinforcing Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar’s capabilities in handling rare and challenging neurological cases.
