1-year-old-9-month-old Anushree was rushed to Manipal Hospital, Kharadi, after falling from the second floor of her home. Due to the severe fall, she suffered a severe head and femur injury and lost her consciousness.
She presented with a range of critical symptoms, including seizures, drowsiness, and unequal pupils, which indicated a potentially life-threatening brain injury. Suspecting a brain herniation and internal bleeding, the team of doctors led by Dr. Parth Dalal, consultant Pediatric Intensivist, started emergency protocols right away to lower the intracranial pressure (ICP) in her skull and stabilise her condition. A quick CT scan was performed, which confirmed the presence of a left-sided subdural haemorrhage (SDH) and signs of brain herniation.
After diagnosing her condition, doctors performed a craniectomy (brain surgery) to relieve pressure and prevent future brain injury. During the procedure, a large blood clot was removed, and a section of the skull was temporarily removed to allow the brain to enlarge safely without increasing intracranial pressure. After ensuring stability in her intracranial pressure, she underwent orthopaedic surgery for a femur fracture, a flexible rod was placed for fracture stabilisation, which will be removed in the follow-up procedure.
Anushree was taken to the High Dependency Unit (HDU), where she continued to receive intensive care, including physiotherapy and feeding. She began showing signs of neurological improvement, including recovering consciousness, following orders, and improving motor function. She was able to open her eyes, recognise her parents, and respond appropriately.
Speaking about the case, Dr. Parth Dalal, consultant Pediatric Intensivist, Manipal Hospital, Kharadi, Pune, said, “The forced hit on the ground caused brain herniation and subdural haemorrhage on the left side of the brain. In such cases, there’s a pressure created from within the skull that pushes against the brain’s tissues and can lead to paralysis, decreased breathing, and even death. While performing the craniectomy, we removed a large blood clot to release the intracranial pressure. Despite her frequent seizures and haemodynamic instability, with constant observation in the ICU, medication, and therapy, her condition eventually stabilised, including electrolyte control and breathing support. She was discharged after 9 days of hospital stay. While her condition is improving, we are observing her closely to ensure her steady recovery.”
A multidisciplinary team of paediatric intensivists, neurosurgeons, orthopedicians, anaesthesiologists, nursing staff, and physiotherapists responded quickly, saving Anushree’s life and facilitating her miraculous recovery.
Admission Date of Patient: 9th June 2024
Discharge Date of Patient: 17th June 2024
About Manipal Hospitals
As a pioneer in healthcare, Manipal Hospitals is among the top healthcare providers in India serving over 7 million patients annually. Its focus is to develop an affordable, high quality healthcare framework through its multispecialty and tertiary care delivery spectrum and further extend it to out of hospital care. With the completion of acquisition of Medica Synergie hospitals and AMRI Hospitals Limited (acquired in Sept 2023), the integrated network today has a pan-India footprint of 37 hospitals across 19 cities with 10,500+ beds, and a talented pool of 5,600+ doctors and an employee strength of over 18,600.
Manipal Hospitals provides comprehensive curative and preventive care for a multitude of patients from around the globe. Manipal Hospitals is NABH, AAHRPP accredited and most of the hospitals in its network are NABL, ER, Blood Bank accredited and recognized for Nursing Excellence. Manipal Hospitals has also been recognised the most respected and patient recommended hospital in India through various consumer surveys.