A French Family's Journey of Trust and Recovery at Sidra Medicine
23 July 2024, Doha, Qatar – A six-year old boy, born with a rare condition called a nasal meningoencephalocele, underwent a minimally invasive procedure at Sidra Medicine recently. This was the first time such a procedure was performed on a child in Qatar, where the anterior base of the skull was repaired entirely endoscopically via the nose.
Nasal meningoencephalocele, where brain tissue and the protective layers around it (known as meninges) get pushed through a hole in the base of the skull and into the nose, is a rare condition affecting 1 in 40,000 births1.
The child was seen at the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) clinic at Sidra Medicine with a blockage in his nose. After an in-office endoscopy and imaging, the diagnosis showed a tumour had created an unusual route from the sterile area inside his skull to the outside, putting him at risk of serious infections and leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), a clear, colorless body fluid found in the brain and spinal cord. Since the mass of the tumor was blocking his nose, it was making it hard for him to breathe.
In the past, the standard treatment for nasal meningoencephaloceles was a craniotomy. This is a major surgery where the skull is opened to remove the tumor and to fix the hole in the base of the skull. However, the method comes with its own potential risks, such as surgical trauma, a longer recovery period, and various other neurological complications.
With the realization of the diagnosis, and being expatriates within Qatar, the boy’s parents went on a journey determined to find the best possible care and treatment for their son. Following several consultations at Sidra Medicine, they were reassured of the hospital’s expertise in minimally invasive endoscopic surgery and its reputation for treating complex pediatric conditions.
Choosing Sidra Medicine
Recognizing the complexity of the boy’s condition, an expert team was assembled, led by Dr. Taseer Feroze Din, an attending Pediatric ENT physician at Sidra Medicine.
The boy’s father stated: "We chose to have our son undergo surgery at Sidra Medicine rather than in France after thorough deliberation. Its reputation as a pediatric specialist hospital played an important part in our decision however primarily it was the trust and rapport we established with Dr Taseer Din. His ability to put us and our child at ease, and providing us with a thorough explanation of the procedure and the care journey, gave us the reassurance and confidence to have the surgery performed at Sidra Medicine.”
Dr. Taseer Din said: “Nasal meningoencephaloceles are rare and can potentially be challenging entities to manage. The diagnosis needs to be established early. It’s important that the details of the surgery need to be made very clear, inclusive of potential complications with the family and the patient. Our team at Sidra Medicine is increasingly building its expertise in managing complex ENT conditions in the most innovative of ways.”
A minimally-invasive approach
The ENT team at Sidra Medicine led by Dr Taseer Din and Dr Mohamed Mahdi, ENT hospitalist, meticulously planned and executed the operative procedure. The minimally invasive approach involved navigating specialized endoscopic instruments through the nostrils to access the meningoencephalocele. This was the first time such a procedure was performed on a child in Qatar.
Using exceptional precision, the team carefully dissected and removed the tumor mass. This eliminated the need for traditional open surgery of performing a craniotomy or opening the cranium to access the tumor, reducing the risk of potential complications, and speeding up recovery time.
To address the skull base defect and prevent future complications, they employed cartilage and bone grafts to create a watertight seal, restoring the integrity of the barrier between the intracranial space and the nasal cavity.
The Path to Recovery
After the young patient’s successful endoscopic and minimally-invasive surgery, the ENT team developed a holistic recovery plan to help him heal and regain full function. They closely monitored his progress, addressing any discomfort or potential complications. Close monitoring was crucial for the first few days after surgery for any brain fluid leakage, bleeding or neurological complications.
“I am very grateful that we were able to help and support this lovely child and his family throughout their experience with us. Everything went very smoothly, and he was discharged a day earlier than planned. It was a real pleasure seeing a young boy initially understandably nervous, to one who was liberated from worry after the surgery and a comfortable post-operative course – this is why we do what we do” said Dr. Din.
The boy’s mother said: "Our son showed so much strength and determination throughout this entire process. We are very proud of his resilience. We can't thank the doctors and nurses enough, especially the ENT surgeon and his whole team, for the exceptional care they provided him. We felt supported every step of the way.”
Sidra Medicine remains committed to providing the boy with ongoing support and follow-up consultations have been scheduled to monitor his progress.
The Otolaryngology (ENT) clinic at Sidra Medicine boasts a highly skilled team specializing in ear, nose, and throat conditions. It expertly handles complex procedures including nasal tumor removal, chronic sinusitis treatment, anterior base of skull leak repair, deviated septum correction, turbinate hypertrophy reduction, endoscopic tear duct opening (DCR), nasal polyp removal, among others. By using advanced equipment and a patient-centered approach, the team can deliver exceptional care with optimal outcomes.