Recognizing the increasing prevalence of disorders affecting the skull base and brain, Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital has launched India’s first-of-its-kind comprehensive Pediatric Neuro Skull Base Unit. This promising unit will be a game-changer in pediatric care, providing a one-stop solution to address complex conditions such as skull base tumors, vascular abnormalities, infections, and trauma in children. The speciality of this unit will be that the surgeries will be minimally invasive with the help of an endoscope.  Ultimately, it aims to enhance the patient’s quality of life. The unit will be managed by a dedicated team of specialists consisting of Neurosurgeons, and ENT endoscopic skull base surgeons in the Pediatric Skull Base Unit.

The skull base is the anatomical junction of the skull and face. Skull-base tumors are complex pathologies, especially in pediatric patients. The incidence of tumors and non-tumors is about 10-20 per lakh population. Examples of Pathologies Needing Skull Base Intervention are dermoid cyst, CSF leak/encephalocele, juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma, rhabdomyosarcoma, pituitary adenoma, rathke’s cleft cyst, craniopharyngioma, chordoma, fibrous dysplasia, osteoma, juvenile ossifying fibroma, head injury causing CSF leak

The Hospital successfully treated the unit’s first patient, Ms. Pari Kondilkar, a 9-year-old who had multiple brain abscesses, which are pus collections in the brain. This was found to be a complication of sinusitis, which is an infection of the nasal sinuses. Residing near Panvel, on the outskirts of Mumbai, Pari developed complaints of high-grade fever, headache, and a few episodes of seizures. A primary MRI scan of the brain showed a pocket of abscess in the frontal lobe of the brain along with sinusitis. Due to a lack of response to medications, she was transferred to Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital. A repeat scan showed an increase in the abscess size. A multidisciplinary approach for management was undertaken, involving the skull base team, the neurology team, and the radiology team. Pari underwent Endoscopic surgery and pus drainage. There was a drastic improvement following the procedure, and after a few days of antibiotics, Pari was discharged after recovery. This procedure was scarless and the recovery period was short.

Skull-base surgery focuses on treating diseases and disorders at the base of the skull and brain. This surgery often requires a multidisciplinary approach, integrating neurosurgery, ENT, neurology, radiology, and other specialties to provide comprehensive care. Our first patient in the unit was successfully treated and has resumed her daily routine and school with ease. This novel facility is dedicated to delivering thorough management and treatment for conditions affecting the skull base in children, ensuring they receive prompt interventions. Conditions involving the brain and skull can significantly impact not only physical development but also cognitive outcomes. It is crucial for parents to be vigilant in recognizing early symptoms and to seek immediate treatment.

The parents of the child who was the first to be successfully treated at the unit expressed their gratitude to Wadia Hospital. “Our child was successfully treated thanks to the advanced technology and expertise of the newly launched unit. We are grateful to the team of experts who helped our child recover without any complications,” said Jeevan Kondilkar, the child’s father.

“The launch of this cutting-edge facility will create hope for children battling neurological disorders. Equipped with advanced technology, the unit enables swift, accurate diagnosis and procedures conducted by skilled experts to prioritize both patient safety and recovery. Wadia Hospital ensures that every child receives personalized attention customized to their requirements. The inauguration of this unit underscores that every step taken today for child well-being can pave the way for a better and healthier tomorrow,” concluded Dr. Minnie Bodhanwala, CEO, Wadia Hospital.