Neurosurgeons defused a ticking time bomb in the head of a pregnant woman
Friday, 5 Апрель 2024
Neurosurgeons defused a ticking time bomb in the head of a pregnant womanA 24-year-old citizen of Almaty began to suffer from headaches since February of this year. A month later, vision deteriorated and drooping of the right eyelid was observed. In connection with this, she sought medical help from an ophthalmologist and a neurologist.
When the headaches began to appear more and more severe, it was recommended to undergo an MRI of the brain. A large aneurysm of the right posterior cerebral artery was discovered, which, with its increased size, caused compression of the adjacent nerve structures and threatened to rupture at any moment. The complexity of the situation in this case was that it was necessary to urgently resolve the issue of neurosurgical operation against the background of a 20-week pregnancy.
After a joint discussion between neurosurgeons in Almaty and Astana, the patient was transported by air ambulance to the National Center for Neurosurgery for further surgical treatment.
By the time of hospitalization at the National Center for Neurosurgery, the patient was already being prepared to be examined by anesthesiologists and obstetricians-gynecologists from the National Scientific Center for Maternity and Childhood. It was decided to carry out the operation and continue the pregnancy despite the existing risks of the operation and the disease itself.
To great joy, the operation was carried out successfully, the “bomb” was defused. As the neurosurgeons themselves say, they are satisfied with the result of the work done. Anesthesiologists-resuscitators and obstetricians-gynecologists also took an active part in the patient’s treatment.
After the operation, the patient was re-examined by obstetricians-gynecologists, who conducted additional studies. There are no deviations in the condition of the fetus and the course of pregnancy. The patient is now feeling well and is preparing for discharge.
Surgery for a cerebral aneurysm is rightfully considered one of the most complex surgical interventions, requiring highly qualified specialists and modern medical equipment. The operation was performed for the patient free of charge within the framework of the compulsory medical insurance. By the way, such a paid operation for foreign citizens would cost about 5 million tenge. This operation was performed by the head of the Department of Vascular and Functional Neurosurgery, Dr. Erbol Makhambetov, and neurosurgeon Dr. Nurtai Nurakai.
As the doctors of the National Center for Neurosurgery note: today in such situations the question of who to save, the mother or the child, is not worth it. Modern capabilities in neurosurgery and anesthesiology make it possible to save both lives. It is worth noting that this is not the first time that doctors at the National Center for Neurosurgery had to perform operations and save the lives of patients during pregnancy.
