Concerned by the worsening condition and inability to perform routine activities, the patient consulted the oncologist at HCG Cancer Hospital, Mumbai. After clinical evaluation and diagnosis, doctors identified the condition as Trigeminal Neuralgia, a chronic neurological disorder affecting the trigeminal nerve, which carries facial sensations to the brain. The patient had initially been treated with painkillers and antiepileptic medications for several years. Despite continuous medication, the pain became refractory; she no longer responded adequately to medicines.
“Despite continuous medication, the pain gradually worsened. Over the last one to one-and-a-half years, my condition had become extremely debilitating. The slightest facial movement or touch would trigger severe pain episodes. Eating normal food became impossible, forcing me to survive mostly on blended and mashed meals. Even drinking water became difficult, and I had to depend on a straw to avoid the triggering pain,” narrated Swati Nair (Name Changed).
According to Dr. Trinanjan Basu, HOD & Sr. Consultant Radiation Oncologist at HCG Cancer Hospital, Mumbai (Borivali & Colaba), the patient’s condition had reached a stage where even minor facial movements or touch triggered unbearable pain. Since conventional medicines were no longer effective, HCG recommended stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) using the CyberKnife system, a highly precise and non-invasive radiation treatment.
“The treatment involved delivering a high-dose, single-session radiation precisely to the area where the trigeminal nerve originates in the brain. The objective was to interrupt the abnormal pain signals responsible for the severe facial pain while minimizing radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. During the 35–40-minute procedure, a custom-made mask was used to keep the patient’s head completely still to ensure accuracy and precision,” added Dr. Basu.
Following the CyberKnife treatment, the patient experienced remarkable improvement in her condition. Immediately after the session, she was able to smile and laugh comfortably without triggering severe pain, something she had been unable to do for years. The improvement also brought relief in speaking, facial movement, and eating, significantly enhancing her quality of life.
Dr. Basu highlighted that while medications remain the first line of treatment for Trigeminal Neuralgia, advanced procedures such as CyberKnife-based stereotactic radiosurgery can provide significant relief for patients whose pain no longer responds to conventional therapies. The case also highlights the importance of early diagnosis, timely intervention, and awareness about advanced treatment options available for chronic neurological disorders.
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