Accurate Diagnosis and Advanced VATS Technique Help PMCH Save Young National Judo Player’s Future

Udaipur: When an aspiring young athlete dreams of winning medals for the nation, a life-threatening illness can jeopardize not only health but also a promising future. In a remarkable medical achievement, doctors at Pacific Medical College & Hospital (PMCH), Udaipur, successfully treated a 12-year-old national-level judo player suffering from a rare and serious lung condition, allowing him to return to a healthy and active life.

The young athlete from Banswara had been battling severe respiratory problems for nearly one and a half years. Despite receiving treatment at various hospitals, his condition was repeatedly misdiagnosed as tuberculosis, pneumonia, or a fungal infection. However, prolonged treatment failed to relieve his symptoms, and his hopes of returning to competitive judo continued to fade.

Seeking further medical advice, the family approached pulmonologist Dr. Atul Luhadia at PMCH. After conducting fresh radiological investigations, Dr. Luhadia discovered that the child was not suffering from tuberculosis or a fungal infection but from a Pulmonary Hydatid Cyst, a rare parasitic disease affecting the lungs.

As the patient was a national-level judo player, preserving his physical fitness and athletic potential became a major concern. Conventional open-chest surgery would have required a large incision, potentially weakening chest muscles and affecting his future sports career. After consulting CVTS Surgeon Dr. Anuj Mehta, the medical team decided to perform surgery using the advanced Uniportal Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) technique.

Dr. Mehta successfully removed the dangerous cyst through a single incision of just four centimeters and performed the required capitonnage procedure. The minimally invasive approach ensured minimal damage to the chest muscles, significantly reduced pain, and negligible blood loss.

Complex Procedure Successfully Executed

Dr. Anuj Mehta explained that although the surgery was minimally invasive, it carried considerable risks. One of the greatest challenges was preventing the cyst’s fluid from spilling into the healthy lung, which could have led to life-threatening complications.

Cardiac Anaesthetist Dr. Sameer Goyal successfully managed this challenge by performing one-lung ventilation, a highly specialized procedure, particularly complex in pediatric patients. Using a double-lumen endotracheal tube, he protected the healthy lung throughout the surgery and successfully extubated the child immediately after the procedure.

Team Effort Behind the Success

The successful treatment was the result of coordinated efforts by a multidisciplinary medical team, including Pulmonologist Dr. Atul Luhadia, CVTS Surgeon Dr. Anuj Mehta, Cardiac Anaesthetist Dr. Sameer Goyal, Dr. Tithi, Dr. Nishchay, Dr. Aamir, Dr. Ritesh, Dr. Supriya, Dr. Abhay, and Pediatric ICU specialist Dr. Puneet Jain. The operating theatre staff, including Kuldeep, Lalit, Sanjay, and Parmeshwar, also played a vital role in the procedure.

Commitment to Advanced Healthcare

Expressing pride over the achievement, PMCH Chairman Rahul Agrawal stated that the institution’s primary objective is to provide world-class healthcare and accurate diagnosis to every patient.

“This young athlete’s story is a living example of our doctors’ expertise, technical excellence, and teamwork. We are proud that PMCH’s advanced medical facilities not only cured him of a serious illness but also enabled him to pursue his dream of winning medals for the country,” he said.

The child has now made a full recovery and has been discharged from the hospital.

What is a Pulmonary Hydatid Cyst?

According to Pulmonologist Dr. Atul Luhadia, Pulmonary Hydatid Cyst is a parasitic disease caused by the tapeworm Echinococcus. The infection is commonly transmitted through dogs, sheep, goats, and other livestock. Humans can become infected by consuming food or water contaminated with parasite eggs or through contact with contaminated hands.

Once inside the body, the parasite can form fluid-filled cysts in various organs. Approximately 60–70 percent of cases involve the liver, while 20–30 percent affect the lungs. Symptoms of lung involvement may include persistent cough, chest pain, breathlessness, and coughing up blood.

With timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment, the condition can be successfully cured.