Media Release
Mangaluru, Nov 25: In a remarkable medical achievement, KMC Hospital Mangalore, Dr B R Ambedkar Circle has successfully treated a three-year-old boy diagnosed with Budd-Chiari syndrome and myoclonic epilepsy, conditions that posed a serious threat to his life. Through the expertise and collaborative efforts of a multidisciplinary team of specialists, the child has made a full recovery, showcasing the hospital's commitment to providing cutting-edge care in complex cases.
In September 2024, Krish (name changed) was admitted to KMC Hospital Mangaluru, Dr B R Ambedkar Circle with severe abdominal distension, difficulty breathing, weighing 12 kgs. He had previously been treated for epilepsy with oral anticonvulsants.
Upon examination, doctors found his abdomen massively swollen, with an abdominal girth of 63 cm. Further evaluation revealed that Krish had Budd-Chiari syndrome, a rare condition in which all three major hepatic veins were occluded, causing fluid accumulation in the abdomen. His condition was complicated by liver dysfunction and clotting abnormalities. After extensive tests it was evident that this child could not be taken up surgically as his veins did not have the needed calibre nor was his clinical condition stable This posed a major challenge as to how to relieve this occlusion and restore liver function.
A multidisciplinary team led by Dr Soundarya (paediatrician), Dr Keerthiraj (interventional neuro-radiologist), Dr Vijay Kumar (paediatric intensivist), Dr Machiah (radiologist) and Dr Sunil (anaesthetist) quickly devised a treatment plan to address the complex and risky nature of his case. The team performed an interventional procedure to place a stent and restore the blood flow to the liver.
Dr Soundarya, pediatrician, commented: “Krish’s case was complex, with both neurological and hepatic challenges. It was crucial to address both his epilepsy and liver condition simultaneously to ensure a comprehensive treatment plan. It’s incredibly rewarding to see him recover so well.”
After the procedure, the child’s condition was critical in view of his previous liver dysfunction. Despite these complications, the doctors and nursing team in the paediatric ICU strived to provide extensive care, and within a few days, Krish began to improve. The restored blood flow to his liver helped normalize his liver function, and now after a month, he is healthy and free from symptoms.
Dr Keerthiraj, interventional neuro-radiologist, added: “The key to Krish’s recovery was the precise interventional procedure called DIPS that we performed to restore the blood flow to his liver. A direct intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (DIPS) is a procedure that decompresses portal hypertension by placing a stent in the portal vein from the inferior vena cava (IVC). It was a critical intervention, and we are happy to see the positive results. The multidisciplinary teamwork played a vital role in the success of this treatment.”
Krish’s recovery highlights the importance of collaboration among healthcare professionals in treating rare and complex medical conditions. His family, who remained an integral part of the process, expressed their gratitude to the medical team for their commitment to providing the best possible care for their child.
Saghir Siddiqui, regional chief operating officer, stated: “This case truly exemplifies the power of teamwork in healthcare. Our specialists worked seamlessly together, combining their expertise to achieve the best possible outcome for Krish. We are proud of our team’s efforts and the care we provide to our patients. The hospital provides exceptional services for children related medical emergencies and critical care, with the presence of full time paediatricians and super specialists - paediatric allergy, paediatric haemato-oncology, paediatric endocrinology, paediatric nephrology, paediatric surgery, paediatric ophthalmology, paediatric psychology, paediatric dentistry, etc”
The case underscores the importance of timely diagnosis and intervention, as well as the critical role of a multidisciplinary team in managing complex conditions like Budd-Chiari syndrome and epilepsy. Krish’s recovery is a testament to the excellence of KMC Hospital’s medical staff and the holistic approach to patient care.
About Manipal Hospitals
As a pioneer in healthcare, Manipal Hospitals is among the top healthcare providers in India serving over 7 million patients annually. Its focus is to develop an affordable, high-quality healthcare framework through its multispecialty and tertiary care delivery spectrum and further extend it to out-of-hospital care. With the completion of the acquisition of Medica Synergie hospitals and AMRI Hospitals Limited (acquired in Sept 2023), the integrated network today has a Pan-India footprint of 37 hospitals across 19 cities with 10,500+ beds, and a talented pool of 5,600+ doctors and an employee strength of over 18,600.
Manipal Hospitals provides comprehensive curative and preventive care for many patients from around the globe. Manipal Hospitals is NABH, and AAHRPP accredited and most of the hospitals in its network are NABL, ER, and Blood Bank accredited and recognized for nursing excellence. Manipal Hospitals has also been recognized as the most respected and patient-recommended hospital in India through various consumer surveys.