Rasmussen Syndrome Treatment in India

Krishna Saxena, a 12-year-old boy from...

Krishna Saxena, a 12-year-old boy from a close-knit family in Mumbai, was a bright and active student who loved cricket. His parents first noticed subtle changes when he was 9, occasional clumsiness, dropping his bat, and a brief, uncharacteristic stare. Over three years, these episodes evolved into severe, debilitating seizures affecting the left side of his body, paralyzing his arm and leg for hours afterward. Despite trying seven different anti-epileptic drugs, the seizures worsened, and MRI scans revealed progressive atrophy of the right hemisphere of his brain. His neurologist, Dr. Iyer, explained that Krishna had Rasmussen's encephalitis, a rare, inflammatory disease attacking one brain hemisphere. The only curative option was a functional hemispherectomy, a disconnection surgery to isolate the diseased right hemisphere and stop the seizures. The family was terrified at the prospect of such a major brain surgery. The 10-hour procedure was successful. After a challenging month in the hospital, Krishna began intensive rehabilitation. He regained the ability to walk with a slight limp, and his speech and cognition, managed by his healthy left hemisphere, remained sharp. While his left hand has limited function, he has been seizure-free for 18 months. The emotional journey was harrowing, his parents grappled with guilt and fear of losing their son's spark. Post-surgery, seeing Krishna smile, return to school with accommodations, and cheer for his cricket team again has filled them with profound relief and hope for his future.