In a groundbreaking medical success, doctors at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, saved the vision of a 76-year-old woman suffering from a rare and potentially blinding sinus condition.
What initially appeared to be a stroke or nerve palsy turned out to be something far more unusual — a sphenoid sinus mucocele, a condition so rare that it accounts for less than two per cent of all sinus diseases worldwide.
The patient arrived with sudden drooping of her left eyelid, severe headaches, and a sense of heaviness in the head. While these symptoms commonly suggest neurological complications, MRI and CT scans revealed the true culprit — a mucus-filled cyst deep within the sphenoid sinus, a cavity located near the skull base. The cyst had begun pressing dangerously on her optic nerves and cavernous sinus, threatening permanent blindness and even brain complications.
“If left untreated, sphenoid mucoceles can cause irreversible vision loss or serious brain issues,”
— said Dr. Chandraveer Singh, Consultant Otorhinolaryngologist and Head & Neck Oncosurgeon at Wockhardt Hospitals, who led the surgery.
Minimally Invasive, Life-Changing Surgery
To tackle this high-risk condition, Dr. Singh and his team performed a minimally invasive endoscopic transnasal surgery, accessing the cyst through the nasal passage without external incisions. The procedure allowed for precise removal of the mucocele while avoiding major surgical trauma.
Within 24 hours of surgery, the patient began regaining strength in her eye, and her vision steadily improved. She was discharged just three days later in stable condition — a remarkable turnaround for a patient who had been at risk of losing her sight.
A Rare but Dangerous Condition
The sphenoid sinus lies in one of the most delicate regions of the skull, surrounded by critical structures like the optic nerves, carotid arteries, and cavernous sinus. Even a small benign cyst in this area can rapidly become life-threatening. Globally, only a handful of cases involving such severe compression have ever been reported in medical literature.
Dr. Singh emphasized the importance of awareness and early diagnosis:
“Sinus issues are often ignored as minor problems. But when a mucocele develops in the sphenoid sinus, it can silently threaten both vision and brain health. Persistent headaches, sudden eyelid drooping, or unexplained neurological symptoms should never be overlooked.”
Hope Through Modern Medicine
This case demonstrates how advanced endoscopic surgery can safely and effectively manage even the most complex sinus conditions. It also highlights the critical role of early medical evaluation and the growing importance of specialized ENT care in India.
Wockhardt Hospitals’ successful intervention stands as a beacon of hope for elderly patients facing rare and high-risk conditions, proving once again that with innovation and expertise, modern medicine can truly change lives.
