In a rare and life-transforming case, neurosurgeons at Gleneagles Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, successfully freed 56-year-old social worker Sushil Verma from more than a decade of unbearable pain caused by Trigeminal Neuralgia — one of the most excruciating neurological disorders known.
As per the press release, for over 10 years, Mr. Verma endured relentless, electric shock-like facial pain. Misdiagnosed initially, he underwent a tooth extraction and years of high-dose medications, but nothing worked. Simple activities like eating, speaking, and smiling became impossible, leading to social withdrawal and depression. At his lowest point, the pain was so severe that he even considered ending his life.
Accurate Diagnosis and Hope
Mr. Verma’s turning point came when he was evaluated by a multidisciplinary team at Gleneagles Hospital led by Dr. Nitin Dange, Director – Interventional Neurology & Head of Department, Neuro Surgery & Spine, along with Dr. Kushal Bhatia and Dr. Mayur Gharat.
An MRI scan revealed the true culprit — a blood vessel pressing on the trigeminal nerve inside his 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.”
Life-Changing Surgery
In a delicate three-hour operation, the surgical team successfully decompressed the nerve. Remarkably, Mr. Verma’s pain disappeared immediately after the procedure. He was discharged within a week and has remained completely pain-free for the past four months — without any medication.
Patient’s Journey from Despair to Relief
“For 10 years, I lived with unbearable pain that no one could truly understand,” Mr. Verma shared. “I even thought of ending my life. Medicines failed, and I even had a tooth removed, but nothing worked. The pain stole 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.”
Understanding Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal Neuralgia affects about 12 in every 100,000 people globally each year, most commonly after the age of 50. It is often called the “suicide disease” because of the unbearable pain it causes. While medications may offer temporary relief, many patients eventually require advanced interventions such as MVD, radiofrequency ablation, or Gamma Knife radiosurgery.
“If not treated in time, patients can suffer from disability, weight loss, depression, and dependence on narcotics,” said Dr. Dange. “When performed at the right stage, MVD can completely transform a patient’s quality of life.”
Commitment to Advanced Neurosurgical Care
“Stories like Mr. Verma’s highlight why timely diagnosis and advanced neurosurgical care are so critical,” added Dr. Bipin Chevale, CEO of Gleneagles Hospital, Mumbai. “We remain committed to delivering world-class expertise and cutting-edge technologies to patients battling complex neurological disorders.”