AIIMS Bhopal has successfully conducted a rare and challenging surgery to remove a large adrenal tumor, known as a pheochromocytoma, from a 27-year-old male patient.
The tumor, which was located behind two major blood vessels in the body - the inferior vena cava (IVC) and the aorta - made the surgery exceptionally complex.
These vessels are responsible for carrying large amounts of blood to and from the heart, making their location and involvement extremely delicate. Pheochromocytomas are rare tumors that form in the adrenal glands, small organs located above the kidneys.
These tumors can produce excess hormones, leading to severe symptoms such as very high blood pressure, palpitations, and sudden headaches. If untreated, such tumors can be life-threatening. In this case, the tumor was unusually large and located deep in the body, pushing against vital structures. During the operation, the medical team had to carefully navigate around the IVC and aorta to avoid damaging these vital blood vessels.
Another major challenge was managing the dramatic fluctuations in blood pressure caused by the tumor itself. Pheochromocytomas release large amounts of adrenaline-like hormones, which can cause the patient's blood pressure to rise dangerously during surgery. After removal, blood pressure often drops suddenly, requiring careful monitoring.
AIIMS Bhopal ED Prof Ajai Singh praised the surgical team for their outstanding expertise and collaborative efforts in handling such a rare and complex case. He said, "This surgery reflects the exceptional medical expertise and teamwork at AIIMS Bhopal. Successfully managing such a rare and challenging case strengthens our commitment to providing advanced healthcare services to the community."
The surgery was performed by a multidisciplinary medical team, including Urology Surgeons Dr. Devashish Kaushal, Dr. Kumar Madhvan, Dr. Ketan Mehra and Dr Nikita Shrivastava the CTVS team comprising Dr. Yogesh Niwariya and Dr. Vikram Watti, the Anesthesia team led by Dr Vaishali, and nursing staff Priyadarshini and Uroj. The patient is now recovering well under the supervision of the medical team.
