Lipomeningomyelocele Treatment in India

Ayaan Shah is a 3-month-old infant,...

Ayaan Shah is a 3-month-old infant, the first child of young parents who had an uncomplicated pregnancy. During a routine well-baby check, their pediatrician noticed a subtle, soft, fatty lump just above Ayaan's buttocks in the midline of his lower back, covered by normal skin. There was no open wound. An ultrasound confirmed it was a lipoma, and a subsequent MRI revealed it was a lipomeningomyelocele, a fatty mass tethered to his spinal cord. The neurosurgeon explained that while Ayaan was currently asymptomatic, the tethering would likely cause progressive nerve damage as he grew, leading to potential leg weakness, foot deformities, bladder/bowel dysfunction, and scoliosis. She strongly recommended prophylactic surgery to untether the cord and remove the lipoma to prevent future neurological deficits. The surgery was performed at 5 months old. It was a long, meticulous procedure under general anesthesia to carefully dissect the fatty tissue from the neural elements. Post-surgery, Ayaan spent two nights in the PICU for monitoring before moving to the regular ward. His recovery was smooth, with the incision healing well. At his 6-month follow-up, he was hitting all developmental milestones, kicking his legs equally, showing normal sensation. His parents' emotional journey was one of initial shock and fear upon diagnosis, followed by anxiety in the lead-up to surgery. Post-procedure, they feel immense relief and gratitude for the proactive care, now watching him grow without the shadow of impending disability.