Neurological Disorders Across Ages: Hospital Cases Highlight Advances in Treatment

Neurological conditions affect people across age groups and can cause movement difficulties, seizures, speech problems and strokes. Cases treated at Zydus Hospital in Vadodara illustrate different approaches to managing these conditions, including deep brain stimulation programming, emergency clot removal and complex brain surgery.

The World Health Organization estimates that more than three billion people worldwide are affected by neurological conditions. In India, stroke is the largest single contributor to the neurological disease burden, followed by headache disorders, vertigo, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, encephalitis and movement disorders.

An eight-year-old boy with genetic dystonia experienced severe muscle stiffness and abnormal postures that restricted his movements and disrupted his daily activities. His symptoms continued to worsen after deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery in Mumbai. At Zydus Hospital, neurologist Dr. Suvorit Bhowmick adjusted the programming of the implanted device. The boy subsequently showed improvements in hand movements and walking and resumed playing with other children.

In another case, a 78-year-old woman developed sudden weakness on her right side and difficulty understanding speech. Doctors diagnosed an ischaemic stroke, caused by a blockage in blood flow to the brain. She underwent mechanical thrombectomy, a procedure in which a catheter and specialised equipment are used to remove the clot. Movement began returning shortly after treatment, and she was discharged within three days, according to the hospital.

A six-year-old girl with drug-resistant epilepsy continued to experience daily seizures despite treatment with several anti-seizure medicines. After specialised testing confirmed the origin of her seizures, she underwent an eight-hour left hemispherectomy, a procedure that disconnects the affected hemisphere from the rest of the brain. She subsequently became seizure-free and resumed daily activities.

The hospital also treated a 14-year-old boy with Moyamoya disease, a condition involving progressive narrowing of arteries supplying the brain. After episodes of speech difficulty, weak grip and limb shaking, investigations identified impaired blood flow. Surgeons performed an STA-MCA bypass, connecting an artery from the scalp to a major brain artery. His speech returned to normal within weeks.

Doctors advise prompt medical assessment for unexplained neurological symptoms. Sudden weakness, facial drooping or speech difficulties require emergency attention, even if symptoms improve. Persistent stiffness, involuntary movements and recurrent seizures also warrant evaluation by a qualified medical professional.