Kolkata : In a remarkable medical achievement, a 72-year-old male patient from Kolkata diagnosed with one of the rarest and potentially life-threatening vascular conditions of the brain — a dural arteriovenous fistula (AVF) was successfully treated under Dr Nirup Datta, Consultant Neurosurgeon, Manipal Hospital Dhakuria. With an incidence as low as 15–20 cases per 10 million people, this condition is can be regarded as one of the rare cases of successful treatment.
Mr Ravi Roy (name changed) who had no prior history of hypertension or diabetes, presented with a sudden onset of bleeding. The condition, often associated with trauma, can lead to severe complications including brain damage, vision loss, or even death if not treated promptly.
During the complex surgical procedure, we identified an unusually high number of abnormal vascular connections. “Typically, such cases have a single feeder vessel, but in this patient, we found 8–9 feeders. All were carefully closed, and the affected portion was completely excised,” explained Dr Nirup Datta, Consultant Neurosurgeon. “This is one of the rarest and most critical vascular disorders, accounting for just 0.14% of all such conditions. Timely intervention was crucial in saving the patient’s life,” Dr Datta added further.
While alternative treatment options such as endovascular coiling or glue embolization are available, they can be significantly expensive, thus in this case, the surgical team opted for complete excision, ensuring effective treatment.
Post-surgery, Mr Roy is on the path to recovery and is expected to gradually return to a near-normal life. He is able to speak slowly but steadily and most importantly there is no risk of recurrence cited Dr Prakhar Gyanesh, Consultant Neuro- anaesthesia.