Healthy Soch
India
healthysoch
Mumbai/Chandigarh, July 22, 2026:
Doctors at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road successfully managed an exceptionally rare case of multiple myeloma in a 64-year-old woman who presented with rapidly progressive paralysis due to a dorsal Spinal Tumour, along with a large brain tumour. Timely diagnosis, emergency spine surgery and multidisciplinary management helped the patient regain her ability to walk within days.
Neena Pandya (name changed), a 64-year-old homemaker, had been suffering from persistent mid-back pain for nearly three months. Initially, she ignored the pain and later sought treatment from a local physician, where she was prescribed pain medications and physiotherapy. Despite treatment, her symptoms progressively worsened, especially following exercise.
Over the following month, she developed progressive weakness in both lower limbs, difficulty maintaining balance and walking, and eventually loss of bowel and urine control. Around the same time, she also noticed a gradually enlarging swelling over her scalp that continued to increase in size over six weeks.
When she presented to Dr. Manojkumar Gaddikeri, Consultant Spine Surgeon at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, was wheelchair-bound with severe weakness of both lower limbs. Clinical examination strongly suggested acute dorsal spinal cord compression, prompting urgent MRI evaluation.
The MRI revealed a tumour compressing the spinal cord, along with another lesion involving the brain causing compression of the brain. A whole-body PET-CT scan demonstrated multiple skeletal lesions, raising suspicion of an underlying plasma cell malignancy.
Given the rapidly progressing neurological deficit, an emergency multidisciplinary surgical plan was formulated. Dr. Manojkumar Gaddikeri & Dr. Nimesh Jain Consultant Neurosurgeon, performed Spinal Tumour excision surgery along with excision of brain tumor thereby relieving the pressure on the spinal cord and restoring spinal stability. The neurological recovery was remarkable. Immediately after surgery, the patient showed improvement in lower limb movement. She was able to stand and walk with support on the very first postoperative day, and within 15 days had regained independent walking and returned to performing her daily activities.
Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of plasma cell dyscrasia (multiple myeloma), an uncommon blood cancer. Presentation with both symptomatic dorsal spinal cord compression and a giant skull lesion is extremely rare, with only a limited number of similar cases reported in medical literature.
Dr. Manojkumar Gaddikeri, Consultant Spine Surgeon at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, said: “This patient had advanced spinal cord compression, making it a true surgical emergency. The delay in diagnosis, despite months of back pain, unfortunately allowed the disease to progress to paralysis. Fortunately, prompt clinical assessment, urgent MRI and timely spinal decompression helped reverse the neurological deficit before permanent damage occurred. This case highlights why persistent back pain associated with progressive weakness should never be ignored.”
Dr. Nimesh Jain, Consultant Neurosurgeon at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, added, “The coexistence of a giant skull lesion with dorsal spinal involvement in multiple myeloma is exceptionally uncommon. Simultaneous management of both pathologies during the same surgery required close coordination between the spine surgery and neurosurgery team. The patient’s rapid neurological recovery was extremely satisfying and reflects the value of multidisciplinary care.”
This rare case highlights the importance of early recognition of red-flag symptoms, advanced imaging, and coordinated multidisciplinary treatment. Equipped with a dedicated spine service, advanced MRI and PET-CT imaging, modern operating theatres, and comprehensive oncology and rehabilitation support, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road continues to successfully manage some of the most complex disorders with excellent patient outcomes.
