LAHORE: Nasir, 16, was a bit obese compared to his age-mates and used to have food at least five times a day. Some three weeks ago, his father Muhammad Akram took him to the Lahore General Hospital.

After a series of diagnostic tests, he was informed that the boy, weighing 84 kilos, had a tumour in the brain. It was a shock for the whole family but Akram decided to opt for surgery, thanks to the persuasion by Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood, the head of Neurosurgery Unit II, at the Lahore General Hospital.

“Dr Khalid Sahib told me that Nasir had a rare disease that can be treatable, so I convinced the family though it was a bit hard. Arranging finances for the surgery was made possible through the health policy of the government,” said Akram, a resident of Chungi Amar Sidhu. Some two weeks ago, Prof Khalid Mahmood led a team of neurosurgeons during the procedure spanning over around six hours. “Throughout my 25-year long career, I have not performed such a complicated procedure. The boy had a disease which is caused by a tumour of the pituitary gland. It is a very rare disease as out of one million only one person has it,” recalled the professor.

Measuring 5mm in size, the tiny tumour was removed by an endoscopy operation through the nose. “It was a brain surgery without opening the boy’s skull. The boy came for a follow-up on Saturday and it was heartening to note that he had lost around 8 kilos weight. He is having usual meals three times a day and was quite happy. I am optimistic the boy will be like his age-mates within the next six to seven weeks,” said Prof Mahmood.

Published in Dawn, December 26th, 2016