A 23-year-old man, deaf and mute since birth due to a rare genetic disorder, has made remarkable recovery from severe dystonia after undergoing deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery at the Nizam Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) in Hyderabad. . The man had been suffering from uncontrollable and painful twisting movements in his neck and body and was unable to eat, walk or perform daily activities without assistance.
His condition makes him completely dependent on his parents for his care. After careful evaluation by NIMS doctors, he was deemed a suitable candidate for DBS, an advanced neurosurgery procedure that delivers electrical pulses to specific areas of the brain to regulate abnormal activity. The surgery was carried out with financial support from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF).
DBS, which has a revolutionary effect on diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor and dystonia, works by implanting a “brain pacemaker” that sends electrical signals to the brain. These signals help control the involuntary movements, stiffness and tremors that are characteristic of these diseases.
After the operation, the young man’s condition improved significantly. His severe dystonia resolved and he was able to walk, eat, and perform daily tasks independently. Doctors said his parents were overwhelmed by the success of the surgery, calling it nothing short of a miracle and restoring their son’s ability to live a normal life.
“DBS surgery is very effective in treating movement disorders such as dystonia, tremor, and Parkinson’s disease. One of its main advantages is that treatment can be fine-tuned based on the patient’s symptoms, allowing for personalized treatment and reduced side effects,” NIMS Neurology said Dr. Sireesha Yareeda, associate professor of science.
“Many patients are reluctant to consider surgery, but DBS is a relatively safe procedure with excellent results,” explains Dr. Yerramaneni Vamsi Krishna, senior neurosurgeon at NIMS.
The Telangana government recently included DBS surgery in its Aarogyasri and Employee Health Scheme (EHS), making this expensive treatment available to low-income patients, a move that will benefit more patients like this young man. Dr. N. Bheerappa Nagari, Director, NIMS, said, “Previously, only high-income patients could afford DBS, but with its inclusion in government health schemes, more patients will have access to this life-changing surgery.”
Published – October 19, 2024 at 7:11 pm (IST)