AIIMS Raipur Pioneers Rare Brain Procedure, First in India
Raipur, 01 August
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Raipur has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first among all AIIMS and Institutes of National Importance (INI) in India to successfully diagnose and treat a rare cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-Venous Fistula (CSF-VF) using an advanced, minimally invasive interventional neuroradiology technique.
A 38-year-old woman, who had been suffering from debilitating positional headaches and tinnitus for over two months, has made a complete recovery following this groundbreaking procedure. The condition had severely impacted her daily life, leaving her unable to perform even routine activities such as eating or bathing.
The patient was evaluated by a multidisciplinary team comprising experts from Neurosurgery, Neurology, and Radiology, including Dr. Anil Sharma, Dr. Sukriya Saravanan, Dr. Nihar Vijay Kathrani, and Dr. Richa Singh Chauhan. Neuroimaging led by Neuroradiologist Dr. Richa Singh Chauhan revealed that the patient was suffering from Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension (SIH) caused by a CSF leak. Further diagnostic evaluation using lateral decubitus Digital Subtraction Myelography (DSM) identified a rare CSF-Venous Fistula at the level of the right L1 vertebra, where CSF was abnormally draining into the venous system.
A skilled team of Interventional Neuroradiologists led by Dr. Nihar Vijay Kathrani performed a sutureless, minimally invasive endovascular procedure via right femoral venous access to successfully seal the fistula. Post-procedure, the patient experienced complete resolution of symptoms, and follow-up MRI scans confirmed normalization of intracranial pressure. The anesthesia support was provided by a team led by Prof. Dr. Subrat Singha, Head of Anaesthesiology, including Dr. Vankdavath Lavanya, Dr. Ananya Rao, and Dr. Hashil.
Prof. Dr. N.K. Bodhey, Head of the Department of Radiodiagnosis, said that CSF-Venous Fistula is an extremely rare and recently recognized cause of SIH, with fewer than five such cases diagnosed and treated in India. This is the first case to be both diagnosed and treated at any AIIMS or INI in the country. The management of the case was further supported by Associate Professors Dr. Saroj Kumar Pati and Dr. Manish Kumar, resident doctors Dr. Ameen Ansari, Dr. Krohit Yadav, Dr. Virendra Kumar, and Dr. Niyanata Sharma, with technical and nursing assistance provided by radiographers Mr. Rajesh Kumar and Mr. Sunil Singh, and nursing staff Divya M Nair, Rakshanda Bhokare, Umashankar, Nisha, and Neha.
Lt Gen Ashok Jindal (Retd), Executive Director and CEO of AIIMS Raipur, commended the entire team for this landmark achievement, stating that this case is a shining example of the institution’s multidisciplinary strength and reflects the advanced diagnostic and interventional capabilities now available at AIIMS Raipur. He added that it sets a new benchmark in the management of rare neurological disorders in India.