Advanced Neurosurgery at Aster Hospital Enables Filipino Healthcare Worker’s Recovery

Jovelyn Sison Omes, a 41-year-old healthcare assistant from the Philippines working at an aesthetic clinic in Dubai, received life-saving treatment at Aster Hospital, Mankhool.

This hospital is recognized for its excellence, ranking fourth in Newsweek's World's Best Hospitals in the UAE list for 2025.

Ms. Omes's alarming symptoms, including intense headaches, nausea, double vision, and a full-body seizure, necessitated urgent medical attention.

Upon undergoing medical assessment on November 27, 2024, a significant, benign brain tumor was discovered on her right brain side. This falcine meningioma, equivalent in size to a tennis ball, had extended across her brain's center, causing swelling and pressure that led to cerebral edema and mass effect.

Dr. Prakash Nair, the Consultant Neurosurgeon at Aster Hospital, Mankhool, highlighted the severity of the tumor's impact on critical brain areas.

Despite her conditions of asthma and high cholesterol, Ms. Omes had not been taking any regular medication. Her symptoms were severe, with headaches scoring a VAS of 8 out of 10, a seizure that resulted in a tongue bite, temporary confusion, and transient double vision. However, she did not experience limb weakness or trauma.

On November 28, 2024, Dr. Nair and his team embarked on a surgical mission to remove the tumor. The procedure was intricate, given the tumor's proximity to vital brain regions controlling limb movement.

Under general anesthesia, the surgeons accessed the tumor via four small skull openings. They utilized advanced surgical tools, including a high-tech microscope and an ultrasonic aspirator (CUSA), to perform a Simpson Grade 1 resection.

This meticulous operation ensured the complete removal of the tumor and its roots, significantly reducing the risk of its recurrence.

After the surgery, Ms. Omes was closely monitored in the ICU, quickly weaned off ventilator support within 24 hours. A subsequent scan confirmed the tumor was completely removed, with no complications arising from the procedure.

She began to move the next day, returned to eating normally within hours, and showed positive responses to physiotherapy. On December 5, 2024, Ms. Omes was discharged, having made a complete recovery without any neurological issues.

Dr. Nair emphasized the successful outcome, stating, "The tumor was located in a challenging area near vital brain structures, but we were able to remove it completely without causing any damage." He further noted the promising long-term prognosis, with a less than 9% recurrence rate over 10 years for Simpson Grade 1 resection cases.

Falcine meningiomas account for about 9% of all intracranial meningiomas and are more frequently diagnosed in women, with a two- to three-fold higher occurrence than in men.

These tumors' diagnosis tends to increase with age, and the fibroblastic subtype found in Ms. Omes's case added complexity to her condition.

Expressing her gratitude, Ms. Omes said, 'I am incredibly thankful to Dr. Nair and the entire team for saving my life. I had been suffering from debilitating symptoms, but today, I am pain-free, seizure-free, and back to work. As a healthcare worker, I urge everyone not to ignore warning signs. Early intervention truly saved my life, and I hope my story encourages others to seek help when something doesn't feel right.'

Ms. Omes's recovery and return to health serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of not overlooking potential health warnings. Her successful treatment at Aster Hospital, Mankhool, underscores the facility's dedication to clinical excellence and the transformative impact of timely diagnosis, surgical skill, and devoted care.