A tumor was detected in the brain.
Three years of living with severe headaches, dizziness, and nausea have gradually exhausted the life of Mrs. Bui Thi Nhung (52 years old, Hung Yen ).
Initially, Mrs. Nhung only suffered from persistent headaches, dizziness, insomnia, and nausea. Despite treatment with painkillers, acupuncture, and acupressure, her condition not only did not improve but worsened. At times, she would feel so dizzy while cooking that she had to sit down. At night, sharp, radiating pain throughout her head caused her chronic insomnia.
"There were times when I felt my face contorted, my mouth stiffened, and I couldn't speak clearly. That's when I was truly scared," Ms. Nhung recounted.
Ms. Nhung lost nearly 7kg and her spirits were low, but the cause remained unclear. Finally, an MRI scan at Vinmec Times City International General Hospital revealed a worrying truth: a giant meningioma, measuring up to 6cm in diameter, located deep within the skull base – a region where nerves and blood vessels controlling vital functions, including respiration, movement, and cardiovascular system, are concentrated.
Dr. Dong Pham Cuong, Director of the Vinmec Times City Neurosurgery Center, said: “Even a small mistake in surgery at this location can cause facial paralysis, hearing loss, or even life-threatening conditions for the patient. This is a very complex case, requiring precise surgical strategy and meticulous attention to detail.”
Dr. Dong Pham Cuong - The man behind the surgery to remove a giant brain tumor (Photo: Vinmec).
In many hospitals, with such a large tumor, patients typically have to undergo two surgeries spaced several weeks apart. But at Vinmec, thanks to our team of highly experienced surgeons and advanced technology support system, the team decided to perform a single, thorough, and safe surgery.
The biggest challenge is choosing the surgical approach. According to Dr. Cuong, there are many approaches to skull base tumors, but none are "absolutely foolproof."
"If we operate anterior to the sigmoid sinus, the procedure is easier, but the risk of damaging blood vessels and nerves is higher. We chose an incision posterior to the sigmoid sinus combined with cerebellar tentorium resection. This option is more difficult for the surgeon, but it is less invasive and safer for the patient, in line with modern neurosurgical trends," Dr. Cuong explained.
Trade the "easy path for the doctor" for the "best outcome for the patient."
Throughout the 8-hour surgery, the entire team worked in a state of absolute concentration. Modern equipment such as neuronavigation, neurofunction monitoring (IOM), and the latest generation Carl Zeiss microscope were used in conjunction, allowing for precise control at every step.
Close-up view of the surgery to remove a giant tumor (Photo: Vinmec).
Dr. Nguyen Dinh Huong, the specialist in microsurgery, shared: “The tumor was both large and had spread to two areas of the skull. The goal was to completely remove the tumor while preserving all the nerves. We had to operate under a high-powered microscope, observing each nerve fiber as thin as a hair.”
As a result, the entire tumor was completely removed without damaging any nerves or blood vessels – a rare success in surgeries involving large cerebellopontine angles.
Immediately after the surgery, Mrs. Nhung was alert, breathing on her own, speaking, and moving normally, without needing to be admitted to the intensive care unit. After 3 days, she was able to eat, drink, and walk gently; on the 10th day, she was discharged from the hospital with a balanced face, no paralysis, and no hearing loss.
“I had prepared myself for the worst, thinking I would have to live with a disfigured face or never wake up again. But when I opened my eyes and saw that I could still speak and move, I couldn't believe it. I am grateful to the Vinmec doctors for saving me so gently,” Ms. Nhung said emotionally.
Ms. Nhung's surgery also marks a significant step forward for the Vinmec Neurological Center in mastering complex brain surgery techniques, especially in microsurgery and minimally invasive localization – a trend shaping the future of modern neuromedicine.
According to Dr. Dong Pham Cuong, the success of the surgery is not only a medical achievement but also reflects the humanistic medical philosophy that Vinmec pursues.
"We choose the more difficult path for doctors in exchange for the best possible outcome for patients. The goal is not just to save lives, but to help them return to normal, confident, and happy lives," he said.
From someone who once faced the fear of losing everything, Ms. Nhung can now smile again. It's a smile of happiness and faith in the dedicated medical hands at Vinmec.
For consultations, examinations, or to schedule appointments, please contact Vinmec via the website here or download the MyVinmec app.
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/8-gio-giai-thoat-nu-benh-nhan-khoi-khoi-u-lon-o-nen-so-20251027120254508.htm
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