Bahrain has become a leader in the field of brain surgery, with more than 40 complicated aneurysm surgeries carried out successfully over the past five years, it has been revealed.

The surgeries were conducted at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) by consultant neurosurgeon Dr R Krishna Das.

The success story was presented at the first congress of the Gulf Neurosurgical Society at the Diplomat Radisson SAS Hotel, Residence and Spa last week.

Aneurysms are small balloon-like swellings in the brain that are like time bombs and can rupture at any time causing bleeding into the brain and, if not recognised and treated, lead to death.

Dr Das, since his arrival in Bahrain in 2002, has pioneered the diagnosis and treatment of this very serious problem.

This is the first time that a detailed analysis of occurrence of aneurysms of the brain in Bahrain is being analysed.

Aneurysms are considered rare in the gulf region, said Dr Das.

"The incidence is not as high as in the US or India but it is not that uncommon in Bahrain," he told the Gulf Dialy News.

"It needs to be diagnosed without delay. Probably many are being missed and creation of awareness is an important necessity."

The youngest patient that Dr Das has operated is a 15- year-old Bahrani boy who is now perfectly well and going to school.

The oldest patient he has operated in Bahrain is 75-year-old.

Dr Das has attended more than 200 cases in India and the oldest patient was 80 years old.

The surgery is a very delicate one and very complicated and requires very advanced training, he noted.

"It also needs very specialised instruments which are available at the SMC," he added.

"At the SMC, we have the facility to do angiogram which helps in identifying where the aneurysm is."

"SMC also has a very highly developed neuropathology department headed by Dr Suzzane Abbas."

SMC also has other specialised equipment like microscope specialised clips which are essential for this highly sophisticated surgery, said Dr Das.

"The surgery for aneurysms is more complicated and demanding than tumour surgery," he added.

"Before 2002, patients were referred abroad for this surgery, but this is dangerous as shifting patients can lead to re -rupture of the aneurysms."

Since 2002, no patient has had to be referred abroad.

Thirty per cent of cases are still diagnosed late, but awareness is increasing and hopefully more cases will be treated successfully, said Dr Das .

"Newer treatment like coiling is available but surgery continues to be the most appropriate treatment for this dangerous condition," he added.

"More than 80pc of the treated patients remain alive and 65pc of them are back to their original job. This is similar to best centres in the world."

The cause of aneurysm is not known. The weakness of brain vessel walls may be one of the causes, said Dr Das. - TradeArabia News Service