Doctors at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road successfully treated a rare case of multiple myeloma in a 64-year-old woman who presented with rapidly progressing paralysis caused by a dorsal spinal tumour, along with a giant skull tumour. Timely diagnosis, emergency surgery, and multidisciplinary care helped her regain the ability to walk within days.
Persistent Back Pain Led to a Rare Diagnosis
Mrs. Neena Pandya (name changed), a 64-year-old homemaker, had been experiencing persistent mid-back pain for nearly three months. Despite medication and physiotherapy, her condition worsened, leading to progressive weakness in both legs, difficulty walking, loss of bowel and bladder control, and a gradually enlarging swelling on her scalp.
When she consulted Dr. Manojkumar Gaddikeri, Consultant Spine Surgeon at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, she was wheelchair-bound with severe weakness in both lower limbs. An urgent MRI revealed a tumour compressing the spinal cord along with a large skull lesion causing pressure on the brain. A PET-CT scan further detected multiple skeletal lesions, raising suspicion of multiple myeloma.
Emergency Surgery Restored Mobility
Given the rapidly progressing neurological deficits, Dr. Manojkumar Gaddikeri, along with Dr. Nimesh Jain, Consultant Neurosurgeon, performed emergency surgery to remove both tumours, relieving pressure on the spinal cord and brain while restoring spinal stability.
The patient showed remarkable improvement immediately after surgery. She was able to stand and walk with support on the first postoperative day and regained independent mobility within two weeks. Histopathological examination confirmed multiple myeloma, a rare blood cancer. The combination of symptomatic spinal cord compression and a giant skull lesion is exceptionally uncommon, with very few similar cases reported worldwide.
Doctors Highlight the Importance of Early Intervention
Dr. Manojkumar Gaddikeri said, “This patient had advanced spinal cord compression, making it a true surgical emergency. Prompt diagnosis, urgent MRI, and timely spinal decompression helped reverse the neurological deficit before permanent damage occurred. Persistent back pain associated with progressive weakness should never be ignored.”
Dr. Nimesh Jain added, “The coexistence of a giant skull lesion with dorsal spinal involvement in multiple myeloma is exceptionally rare. Successfully treating both conditions during a single surgery reflects the strength of coordinated multidisciplinary care.”
Early Recognition Can Prevent Permanent Damage
This rare case underscores the importance of recognising red-flag symptoms such as persistent back pain, progressive limb weakness, and loss of bladder or bowel control. With advanced imaging, specialised spine and neurosurgical expertise, oncology services, and rehabilitation support, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road continues to successfully manage complex cases and deliver excellent patient outcomes.