Girl's life saved after rare tumor, ASD detected at KIMS Hospital
A 15-year-old tribal girl from Khammam district has undergone life-saving surgery after being diagnosed with a rare tumor between her heart and lungs. Doctors at Kondapur KIMS Hospital also detected a large Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) — a congenital heart condition that had gone unnoticed for years. The complex procedures to address both conditions were successfully performed by Dr Nisarga, chief cardiothoracic surgeon, and Dr C. Rohan Reddy, consultant minimal invasive onco-thoracic surgeon.
The girl, the daughter of daily wage labourers, had been suffering from breathlessness when local doctors referred her to KIMS Hospital. Upon examination, she was diagnosed with a mediastinal teratoma, a rare germ cell tumor situated in the space between her lungs and in front of her heart. Further tests revealed the presence of a significant ASD, a hole in the wall separating the heart’s chambers. The ASD had caused mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood, threatening severe circulatory complications.
“The tumor’s location made it particularly challenging to remove,” explained Dr Nisarga. “It had invaded the pericardium, adhered to parts of the lungs, and extended into the left chest cavity, pressing on critical nerves and blood vessels. A portion of the lung had to be excised during the surgery, though fortunately without compromising lung function.”
The teratoma, which contained granular materials like hair and cartilage, was completely removed through minimally invasive incisions. Following this, the ASD was repaired in a separate procedure, which required stopping the heart and using a cardiopulmonary bypass machine. The defect was patched using tissue from the heart’s outer layer.
The girl was discharged five days after surgery. “These surgeries demand exceptional skill and advanced medical facilities,” noted Dr Rohan Reddy. “Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for such complex cases.”
This rare case highlights the importance of improving healthcare access and awareness in underserved tribal areas, where congenital conditions like ASD often go unnoticed due to lack of resources.
