Faridabad, 11th May 2022: Doctors at Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad successfully treated a 36-year-old male patient who was suffering from an extremely rare disease Acute Transverse Myelitis. The patient on admission had reported of progressive weakness in both lower limbs for many days and within a span of three days, his condition deteriorated to the extent, that he was not able to stand or sit without support. A day prior to admission, the patient had acute urinary retention (inability to pass urine) and with the progression in the disease by the time of admission at the hospital – he was completely bed ridden.

Initial investigations based on clinical symptoms and rapid progression confirmed this to be a case of Acute Transverse Myelitis – a health condition with acute inflammation of gray and white matter in one or more adjacent spinal cord segments, usually thoracic. The disease if not diagnosed or treated on time can lead to other complicated health conditions: multiple sclerosis, infection in the spine, autoimmune diseases amongst others.

A team of doctors led by Dr. Kunal Bahrani, Director, Neurology: Department at Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad immediately intervened, and the patient was admitted to ICU. Various radiological investigations such as MRI Brain and MRI of the whole spine were conducted to confirm the severity of the disease. MRI Diagnosis revealed swelling in various parts of the spinal cord alongwith patches of swelling in the brain.

The patient’s condition was deteriorating with every passing day and the only advisable line of treatment for immediate medical intervention was plasma exchange. Seven cycles of plasma exchange were followed by IVIg (Intravenous immunoglobulin) in order to destroy the auto-antibiotics which led to the devastating disease.

Talking about the case, Dr. Kunal Bahrani, Director, Neurology Department, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad said, “The patient was a gymnast and used to lead an active lifestyle. I haven’t come across any such case, where a person leading an active lifestyle gets bed-ridden in such a short span of time. The patient suddenly started experiencing muscle weakness in his limbs and was bed-bound within a span of 3 Days. Any delay in diagnosis and treatment would have resulted in long-term disability with weakness in both lower limbs. The case was extremely challenging becauseit was a rare case of acute neurological problem with rapid progression which could have lead the patient to be bed ridden for his entire life.”

Dr. Ajay Dogra, Facility Director, Fortis Escorts Hospital Faridabad said, “It was a very challenging case considering the critical condition of the patient and the rarity of the disease. Despite all the odds, doctors at Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad under the guidance of Dr. Kunal Bahrani, a well-known neurologist from AIIMS saved the life of the patient by adopting a muti-disciplinary approach alongwith immediate medical intervention. For the last forty years the team of doctors at Fortis Faridabad, have always displayed their commitment to clinical excellence and patient-centric care.”

About Fortis Healthcare Limited  

“Fortis Healthcare Limited – an IHH Healthcare Berhad Company – is a leading integrated healthcare services provider in India. It is one of the largest healthcare organizations in the country with 27 healthcare facilities (including projects under development), 4100 operational beds and over 419 diagnostics centres (including JVs). Fortis is present in India, United Arab Emirates (UAE) & Sri Lanka. The Company is listed on the BSE Ltd and National Stock Exchange (NSE) of India. It draws strength from its partnership with global major and parent company, IHH, to build upon its culture of world-class patient care and superlative clinical excellence. Fortis employs 23,000 people (including SRL) who share its vision of becoming the world’s most trusted healthcare network. Fortis offers a full spectrum of integrated healthcare services ranging from clinics to quaternary care facilities and a wide range of ancillary services.”