Dr. Rakhi Sanyal

A 72-year-old retired fisherman from a coastal village was brought by his grandson with worsening shortness of breath. Dr. Sanyal discovered he had developed pulmonary fibrosis likely from years of occupational exposure. Despite limited financial resources, she coordinated with hospital social services to arrange oxygen therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation. The patient showed moderate functional improvement over 6 months.

A 45-year-old construction worker with no previous medical history collapsed at work. Dr. Sanyal diagnosed him with acute myocarditis possibly triggered by a recent viral infection. He required ICU admission and temporary mechanical circulatory support. After 3 weeks of intensive treatment, he made a remarkable recovery and returned to light duties after 4 months.

A 19-year-old college student from an upper-middle-class family presented with mysterious recurrent fevers and abdominal pain. Dr. Sanyal identified it as Familial Mediterranean Fever through genetic testing—a rare diagnosis in the Indian population. Treatment with colchicine resulted in complete symptom resolution. The patient's siblings were subsequently screened and diagnosed preventively.

A 60-year-old widow living alone with limited income developed unexplained weight loss and night sweats. Dr. Sanyal diagnosed disseminated tuberculosis with hepatic involvement. She arranged for directly observed therapy through a government program and coordinated nutritional support. The patient completed treatment successfully over 9 months with full recovery.

A 28-year-old female software engineer from an affluent background presented with persistent fatigue and joint pain. Dr. Sanyal diagnosed her with early-onset rheumatoid arthritis after extensive serological testing. Treatment involved a combination of DMARDs and biologic therapy, with significant improvement seen within 3 months. The patient's parents were heavily involved in decision-making despite her independence.