“In children, the occurrence of such tumours is low, which means there are few dedicated centres for this kind of specialised care,” said Dr Chandrashekhar Deopujari, a neurosurgery specialist at Wadia hospital. “Since the unit was established two months ago, we have already treated two patients, so there is a need for such facilities. Although tumours in children are rare and no comprehensive data is maintained in India, we still expect about 20 cases a year,” Dr Deopujari added.

Among the patients treated at the new unit is 9-year-old Pari Kondilkar, a resident of Panvel, who was diagnosed with multiple brain abscesses—pus collections in the brain resulting from complications of sinusitis. “Due to a lack of response to medications, she was transferred to the hospital. A repeat scan showed an increase in the abscess size. Pari underwent endoscopic surgery and pus drainage. There was a drastic improvement following the procedure. This procedure was scarless, and the recovery period was short,” the hospital said.