B'luru docs give new lease of life to man after seizure reveals brain tumour 

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Doctors in Bengaluru gave a new lease of life to a 34-year-old man who suffered a seizure but further investigation revealed the presence of a tumour, leading to timely intervention by them.

Most people do not expect a seizure to be the first sign that they need medical attention. While it can be unsettling, timely evaluation often helps doctors understand the cause and plan the right next steps. In adults, a first seizure may happen for several reasons, many of which can be treated or managed effectively.

In some cases, it may lead to the discovery of an underlying condition that had not caused obvious symptoms earlier. The man whose first seizure led to further evaluation and the identification of a brain tumour is one such case.

How the seizure revealed a brain tumour

The man, who had been otherwise well, developed sudden onset of jerking of the limbs with brief unconscious spell. He was brought for medical assessment, where doctors recommended further tests to identify the cause of the seizure.

Brain imaging revealed a lesion in the brain. The patient was later diagnosed with a left temporal intra axial lesion compressing the brain stem.

A seizure occurs when there is a sudden burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. While seizures may be caused by several conditions, including epilepsy, infections, fever, metabolic problems, stroke, or certain medicines, a first seizure in an adult requires careful evaluation. In some cases, it can be the first indication of a structural problem in the brain, such as a tumour.

Brain tumours can affect people in different ways. Their symptoms depend on the part of the brain involved, the size of the tumour, and whether it causes pressure or swelling in surrounding tissues. Some people may experience seizures. Others may develop headaches, vomiting, weakness or numbness in an arm or leg, difficulty with speech, changes in vision, imbalance, memory concerns, or changes in behaviour.

In this case, the patient, who was admitted to Apollo Speciality Hospital, Jayanagar in Bengaluru, did not have any symptoms other than seizures. MRI scan was performed. The MRI showed a large left temporal intra axial lesion compressing the brain stem.

The scan findings were reviewed by the neurosurgical team to decide on the most appropriate treatment. Surgery was recommended because the tumor was large and compressing the adjacent structures like the cerebral peduncle and causing seizures.

“Any first seizure in an adult should be assessed properly. It does not always mean that there is a brain tumour, but it is important to identify the cause. In this patient’s case, timely imaging helped us detect the lesion and plan treatment early. The focus was on removing the tumour safely while preserving important functions such as speech, movement, vision and memory,” said neurologist Dr Krishna Chaitanya.

The goal of surgery in such cases is to remove as much of the tumour as safely possible. The tissue removed during the procedure is then examined in the laboratory. This helps doctors identify the exact type and grade of tumour and decide if additional treatment is needed.

Following surgery, the patient recovered well and was comfortable. He was advised radiotherapy based on the high grade of the tumour, Gr 3 glioma.

“Treatment for a brain tumour is planned individually. It depends on the tumour type, location, pathology report, and the patient’s overall condition. Surgery is often an important first step, but long-term follow-up is equally important,” added Dr Chaitanya.

The case highlights the importance of seeking medical assessment after a first seizure. Early evaluation and appropriate imaging can help identify the cause, guide treatment, and support better outcomes for patients with brain tumours.