Skull Base Surgery Treatment in India

Anjali Chopra, a 42-year-old classical music...

Anjali Chopra, a 42-year-old classical music teacher and mother of two, began experiencing a persistent, one-sided headache and a gradual, alarming loss of hearing in her right ear over six months. Initially attributing it to stress, she grew concerned when she started feeling off-balance and noticed a constant ringing. An MRI revealed a medium-sized acoustic neuroma, a benign tumor on the nerve connecting her ear to her brain. Her neurosurgeon, Dr. Mehta, recommended a translabyrinthine skull base surgery to remove the tumor, explaining it was the best approach to preserve her facial nerve function, though hearing loss in that ear would be permanent. Anjali was terrified, fearing for her career and ability to care for her children. The 10-hour surgery was successful, with the tumor fully resected and her facial nerve intact. Recovery was challenging; she dealt with significant vertigo, single-sided deafness, and fatigue for weeks. However, with vestibular therapy and a hearing aid for her left ear, she adapted remarkably. Six months later, she is back to teaching, using visual cues for rhythm. The emotional journey was profound, from fear of losing her identity to immense gratitude for her skilled surgical team and a renewed appreciation for life's melodies, even those heard differently.