Successful AV Malformation Treatment in India: A Case Study

An arteriovenous malformation (AV) is a congenital disorder characterised by an abnormal connection between the arteries and veins in the brain or spine. An AVM can disrupt the flow of oxygen-depleted blood in the vein, which is then returned to the lungs and heart. Monica from Ghana suffered from AV malformation. She decided to look for options for medical treatment when she started experiencing episodes of unconsciousness. After a long struggle to arrange funds and seek help from the insurance company, Monica decided to take her chances and travel to India for state-of-the-art medical treatment.

Patient Introduction

Monica is a citizen of Ghana. She contacted her insurance agency for help with the medical treatment. The insurance agency was Medigence's strategic partner. They ended up referring this case to MediGence and shared Monica's medical reports with them.

About Patient's Medical Condition (Pre-treatment)

People with AV malformation may remain symptomless for years. However, dizziness, headache, and seizures are among the symptoms they may experience. Monica did experience specific symptoms such as episodes of unconsciousness and seizures. She had three episodes of loss of consciousness. Fortunately, they all happened when she was home, and therefore, there was no physical harm.

Travel Period

Quickly, within two days, the team at MediGence analysed the medical reports and shared them with the three best hospitals in the Delhi NCR region for an opinion. The team prepared a detailed treatment plan based on the doctors' opinions. Monica selected Artemis Hospital in Delhi NCR for her treatment as she and her family preferred CyberKnife treatment for her condition.

Artemis Hospital is a globally renowned JCI-certified hospital and ranks among the best in the country. The hospital issued her a visa invitation letter, and she booked tickets to arrive in India on May 23, 2018. As soon as she arrived in the county, the Patient Care team went to the airport to pick her up and then dropped her off at the hotel, which had been booked in advance. Monica's treatment was completed on June 05, 2018. She had open tickets, so the MediGence team changed them, and she travelled back to Ghana on June 08, 2018.

Treatment Details

The same day of her arrival, Monica had an appointment with a neurosurgeon at Artemis Hospital. Investigations were carried out at the hospital, after which she returned to her hotel. The next day, she was admitted to the hospital so that angiography of the brain could be conducted to see the extent of her aneurysm. After angiography, it was noticed that she had developed a second aneurysm during this period. Also, she was diagnosed with hepatitis B. At the same time, her CyberKnife planning was conducted at the hospital.

A single or a couple of sessions of CyberKnife radiation is enough to treat a brain AV malformation, and it was the same case with Monica. Since the blood test indicated that Monica was Hepatitis B positive, she was given some medications. She was also asked to wait a few days before the CyberKnife treatment was initiated. She also had a swelling in the back of her skull. Therefore, she was advised to wait for the swelling to subside before the treatment could be initiated. Monica stayed with her little sister in a hotel for two weeks.

She was admitted to the hospital on June 04, 2018, for her CyberKnife radiation therapy planning sessions. The actual therapy took place on June 05, 2018. Contrary to what was anticipated earlier, Monica only required one session of CyberKnife radiation for the treatment of AV malformation. The doctors advised her to return after 6 months for a second sitting and follow-up.

Treatment Challenges

Since Monica was diagnosed as hepatitis B positive, the doctors decided to wait for some time before the actual treatment was initiated. Therefore, Monica and her sister had to stay in the guest house for a couple of extra days. As she had come with her younger sister, her local guardian was the team, which was present with her during all investigations and treatment. The team kept visiting them at the guest house and also arranged things to make her stay as comfortable as possible. Monica and her sister were more keen to prepare their own food in the kitchen.

Therefore, the Patient Care team ensured their room in the guest house was directly opposite the kitchen so they could comfortably prepare their meals. The MediGence team ensured a smooth coordination with the hospital and that all of Monica's local travelling needs were met.

Patient's Medical Condition (Post-treatment)

Monica tolerated the CyberKnife well and was discharged from the hospital in a stable condition. She was advised to follow up after six months.

Monica had an excellent outcome with CyberKnife therapy and was discharged in stable condition. She was instructed to persist with her medications and revisit the physician in 6 months for a follow-up to assess the effectiveness of treatment and monitor her healing.

On June 8, 2018, Monica returned to Ghana after completing her treatment and recovery.

Patient Response and Experience

Monica was very pleased with the care she received in India. The coordination between Artemis Hospital's medical team and MediGence's Patient Care team made her treatment experience as easy and stress-free as possible.

Monica received comprehensive support through every stage of her medical journey (from the first consultation to travel and hotel arrangements, hospital coordination, and aftercare). The successful CyberKnife treatment greatly aided her in resolving her AV malformation and greatly decreased her chances of developing any complications.

Conclusion

The case of Monica emphasises the importance of rapid diagnosis, modern technology, and collaborative support systems in achieving the best outcomes when treating medical conditions. Choosing to have specialised care in India gave Monica access to the latest CyberKnife technology and an experienced neurosurgeon for diagnosis. With proper follow-up care and monitoring, patients with AVM can expect to be healthier and have a better quality of life. Monica's journey demonstrates how international collaboration on health matters can provide patients with access to potentially life-saving treatment.