26 November 2010
By Nitin Yeshwantrao
Thane, India
Till a year ago, Nayan Palan (31) was moody and obese. She had pimples all over her face and got frequent headaches. She was diabetic and suffered from hypertension. This was because the Thane resident had a peanut–sized tumour lodged at the base of her brain. Today, Palan is a picture of health, thanks to a timely diagnosis and endoscopy which allowed her to get rid of the tumour without sustaining any permanent scars.
"I had gained 15 kilos in two weeks. There were pimples all over my face. I consulted a dermatologist in Mulund who suspected a hormonal imbalance and asked me to undergo a series of tests, including an MRI,’’ Palan, who has a five–year–old daughter, said.
Dr Deepu Banerji, senior consultant with the neurosurgery department at Fortis Hospital, said, "This particular form of tumour, also known as Cushing’s disease, is hard to detect and could prove fatal. In fact, Palan’s earlier MRI did not reveal the presence of the tumor. A subsequent MRI of the pituitary gland confirmed its presence. The tumor had developed below the eye nerves, at the base of Palan’s brain."
Last December, doctors at Fortis Hospital removed the tumour from Palan’s brain by inserting an endoscope through her nostrils. "Instead of opening the skull or cutting through the inner lips, we used both the nasal openings to reach the tumor and remove it. It’s been almost a year and Palan has had no side–effects. She has also been cured of diabetes and blood pressure after the operation,’’ Dr Banerji said.
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