In a rare and life-transforming case, Mumbai doctors have successfully freed a 56-year-old social worker from more than a decade of excruciating pain caused by Trigeminal Neuralgia, a neurological disorder known to cause extreme pain.
The patient, Sushil Verma, had battled relentless, electric shock-like facial pain for over 10 years. Initially misdiagnosed, he even underwent a tooth extraction and years of high-dose medications – but nothing eased his agony. Eating, speaking, and even smiling became impossible, forcing him into social withdrawal and depression. At one point, the pain was so unbearable that he even contemplated ending his life.
At Gleneagles Hospital, Verma was evaluated by a team led by Dr Nitin Dange, director – Interventional Neurology & Head of Department Neuro Surgery & Spine, along with Dr Kushal Bhatia and Dr Mayur Gharat. His MRI revealed the root cause – a blood vessel pressing on the trigeminal nerve inside the brain.
“Because his condition was refractory and he was otherwise fit, Microvascular Decompression (MVD) surgery was the best option,” explained Dr. Dange. “This gold-standard procedure relieves pressure on the nerve by separating the artery and placing a protective cushion.”
In a delicate three-hour surgery, the nerve was decompressed successfully. Remarkably, patient`s pain vanished immediately after the operation. He was discharged within a week and has been completely pain-free for the past four months – without any medication.
“For 10 years, I lived with unbearable pain that no one around me could truly understand. At one point, I even thought of ending my life because I could not carry on like this. I took medicines, I even had a tooth removed, but nothing worked. The pain robbed me of my work, my happiness, and my will to live. After meeting Dr Dange and his team, I finally found hope. The surgery changed my life. I am now free of pain, free of medicines, and I can smile, eat, and live normally again. I will always remain grateful to the doctors for giving me a second chance at life,” said a relieved Verma.
Trigeminal Neuralgia affects about 12 in every 100,000 people worldwide each year, mostly after the age of 50. It is often described as one of the most severe pains known to medicine. While medications may provide temporary relief, many patients eventually require advanced procedures like MVD, radiofrequency ablation, or Gamma Knife radiosurgery.
“If not treated in time, patients can suffer from progressive disability, weight loss, depression, and even dependence on narcotics,” added Dr Dange. “When performed at the right stage, MVD can completely transform quality of life.”
“Stories like Verma’s highlight why timely diagnosis and advanced neurosurgical care are so critical,” said Dr Bipin Chevale, CEO of the hospital.