AJ Hospital Successfully Performs Rare Skull Base Surgery on 15-Year-Old Boy from Kasaragod

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Mangaluru : In a significant milestone for advanced multidisciplinary surgical care, AJ Hospital & Research Centre in Mangaluru has successfully executed a complex, high-risk skull base procedure on a 15-year-old boy from Kasaragod district, Kerala. The patient, Sanjay Kumar, was diagnosed with Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma (JNA)—a rare, non-cancerous yet locally aggressive vascular tumour that predominantly affects adolescent males. Due to its positioning near vital structures, including the internal carotid artery at the carotid siphon and the optic nerve at the orbital apex, the surgical removal posed severe risks of massive bleeding, stroke, and permanent vision loss.

The intricate intervention was spearheaded by Consultant Surgical Oncologist and Robotic Surgeon Dr. Ajay Kumar, alongside Consultant ENT Surgeon Dr. Deepalakshmi and Consultant Plastic Surgeon Dr. Sanath Bhandary, supported by dedicated Anaesthesia and Critical Care units. To gain safe access to the skull base, the multidisciplinary team utilized a Modified Maxillary Swing procedure. Through meticulous microsurgical dissection, surgeons successfully excised the tumour away from the carotid artery and optic nerve, ensuring the complete removal of the growth while preserving the boy’s vision and neurological functions.

Prior to arriving at AJ Hospital, the patient’s family had faced immense uncertainty following consultations elsewhere. Dr. Ajay Kumar alleviated their anxieties by clearly outlining the diagnosis and treatment roadmap. Highlighting the collaborative nature of the feat, Dr. Kumar emphasized that modern oncology relies on coordinated teamwork across specialties to protect patient safety. Expressing her profound gratitude, the patient’s mother, Sandhya, commended the medical team’s clarity, empathy, and expertise. Sanjay underwent surgery on a Tuesday following a Monday admission, recovered under close ICU monitoring, and is now recovering smoothly, showcasing AJ Hospital’s commitment to delivering specialized, tertiary healthcare to patients across coastal Karnataka and Kerala.