Surgical Management of a Colloid Cyst of third ventricle

A 20-year-old girl, an art student, presented with two episodes of transient loss of consciousness lasting 20–30 minutes, accompanied by neck pain radiating to the left side. Clinical evaluation, followed by MRI, revealed a third ventricular colloid cyst, causing obstruction at the foramen of Monro and resulting in intermittent symptoms of raised intracranial pressure.

The patient underwent neuro-navigation-guided craniotomy and successful excision of the colloid cyst. Intraoperative and postoperative management were uneventful. The patient was extubated immediately following the procedure. A postoperative CT scan confirmed complete excision of the cyst, with no residual tumor visible.

She was monitored in the ICU for one day, where she demonstrated remarkable recovery. Impressively, she resumed her artistic pursuits on the first postoperative day, highlighting her swift neurological recovery. Currently, she is stable and recovering well in the ward.

We extend our gratitude to the entire neurosurgery team and the operating theater staff for their seamless coordination and dedication to achieving an excellent outcome for the patient.

This case underscores the importance of timely diagnosis, precise surgical planning, and multidisciplinary teamwork in the successful management of colloid cysts.

Histopathology- Nimhans 

Colloid cyst 

Regarding Third ventricular colloid cysts , these are rare 1 to 3 % whole intracranial tumours but potentially life-threatening intracranial lesions, often presenting a significant surgical challenge due to their deep midline location and proximity to critical neurovascular structures. These cysts can cause acute hydrocephalus and elevated intracranial pressure through obstruction of the foramen of Monro, leading to symptoms such as severe headaches, intermittent loss of consciousness, or, in rare cases, sudden death. Surgical management, either through neuro-navigation-guided craniotomy or endoscopic resection, demands meticulous planning and precise execution to minimize complications. Advances in neuro-navigation and microsurgical techniques have significantly enhanced the safety and efficacy of these procedures, making early diagnosis and prompt intervention essential in preventing catastrophic events.

Dr Ganesh Veerabhadraiah 
HOD and Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon
Kauvery hospital 
Electronic City
Bengaluru 

Ph no 7249669911

#ColloidCyst #ThirdVentricularTumours #BrainTumours #IntraventricularTumours #EndoscopicTumourRemoval #Craniotomy

What Are Migraines — And Why Do They Keep Returning?

Migraine is far more than a “bad headache.” It is a complex neurological condition involving changes in brain chemistry, nerve signalling, and blood vessel activity. A typical migraine attack can last anywhere from 4 to 72 hours and is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound.

Many patients in Bangalore visit our neurology clinic after years of managing migraines with over-the-counter painkillers — unknowingly making them worse. The good news: with the right knowledge and guidance, migraines can be significantly controlled. The tips below are the same evidence-based advice our specialists share during consultations.

10 Expert-Backed Tips to Reduce Migraine Headaches

Tip 1:  Identify Your Triggers

Keep a migraine diary for at least 4–6 weeks. Track everything: what you ate, sleep hours, stress levels, weather, menstrual cycle, and screen time. Common triggers include: stress, poor sleep, skipping meals, bright lights, strong smells, hormonal changes, alcohol, dehydration, and certain foods (aged cheese, processed meats, chocolate, MSG).

Pro Tip: Apps like Migraine Buddy work well. Bring your diary to your neurologist appointment — it dramatically improves diagnosis accuracy.

Tip 2:  Stay Hydrated — Every Single Day

Dehydration is one of the most overlooked yet common migraine triggers. Aim for 2–2.5 litres (8–10 glasses) of water per day. Increase this during hot weather or exercise. Limit caffeinated drinks which increase fluid loss.

Pro Tip: Start your morning with a large glass of water before tea or coffee.

Tip 3:  Maintain a Regular Sleep Schedule

The brain craves routine. Both too little and too much sleep can trigger a migraine. Aim for 7–8 hours per night and go to bed/wake at the same time every day, including weekends. Avoid screens 30–60 minutes before bed.

Pro Tip: Sleep disorders like sleep apnoea significantly worsen migraines. Mention heavy snoring to your neurologist.

Tip 4:  Eat Regularly — Don’t Skip Meals

Low blood sugar is a well-established migraine trigger. Eat balanced meals every 4–5 hours. Include complex carbohydrates (whole grains, oats, brown rice), lean proteins, and plenty of fruits and vegetables. Keep healthy snacks on hand for busy days.

Pro Tip: Many IT professionals in Bangalore skip lunch during busy periods — a top reason we see migraines worsen in this group.

Tip 5:  Manage Stress Effectively

Stress is the #1 reported migraine trigger globally. Evidence-based approaches include: yoga, pranayama, mindfulness meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, biofeedback, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Even 10–15 minutes of daily practice makes a measurable difference.

Pro Tip: Biofeedback therapy has strong clinical evidence for chronic migraine prevention — ask your neurologist.

Tip 6:  Be Smart About Caffeine

Caffeine has a paradoxical relationship with migraines. Limit intake to 1–2 cups per day and never stop suddenly — caffeine withdrawal triggers attacks. Both excess caffeine and caffeine rebound are common migraine causes.

Pro Tip: Weekend morning migraines after sleeping in and delaying coffee are classic caffeine-withdrawal headaches.

Tip 7:  Exercise Regularly — But Wisely

30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise 3–5 times per week can reduce migraine days by up to 40%. Good options: brisk walking, swimming, cycling, yoga, or light jogging. Warm up gradually, stay well hydrated, and avoid exercising in extreme heat.

Pro Tip: Keep intensity moderate, not maximal. Very high-intensity exercise can trigger migraines in some patients.

Tip 8:  Monitor Your Medication Use Carefully

CRITICAL: Overusing painkillers causes migraines to worsen — known as Medication Overuse Headache (MOH). This occurs when you take pain relief medication on more than 10–15 days per month. If you use headache medication more than twice a week, consult a neurologist about prescription preventive treatments.

Pro Tip: Preventive medications (beta-blockers, topiramate, CGRP inhibitors) reduce attack frequency — they are not addictive.

Tip 9:  Create a Calm Environment During an Attack

When a migraine begins, act quickly. Rest in a dark, quiet room. Apply a cold pack to your forehead, temples, or neck. Silence your phone, turn off lights, and use earplugs if needed. Avoid screens. Take any prescribed medication at the very first sign of an attack.

Pro Tip: Lavender or peppermint essential oil roll-on has some clinical evidence for reducing migraine severity.

Tip 10:  Consult a Neurologist — Don’t Just Manage, Treat

If migraines are affecting your quality of life, work, or relationships, you need professional neurological care. Modern migraine treatment has advanced significantly. New drug classes like CGRP inhibitors — the first migraine-specific preventive medications — offer remarkable results. Botox injections, nerve blocks, and neuromodulation devices are also available.

Pro Tip: Don’t wait until migraines are daily before seeing a doctor. Early intervention leads to far better outcomes.

Red Flag Warning Signs — Seek Emergency Care Immediately

Not every severe headache is a migraine. Seek emergency care if you experience:

• Sudden, explosive “thunderclap” headache — worst of your life
• Headache with fever, stiff neck, or skin rash
Headache with confusion, seizures, or loss of consciousness
New weakness, numbness, or vision loss with headache
Headache after a head injury or accident
Headache that gets progressively worse over days/weeks
New severe headaches in patients over 50
Headache in a patient with known cancer or HIV

Conclusion: Migraines Are Manageable — With the Right Plan

Migraines are one of the most common yet most underdiagnosed neurological conditions in India. Millions of people in Bangalore and across the country endure years of debilitating headaches, missed workdays, and a reduced quality of life — often without knowing that highly effective treatments exist.

The 10 tips outlined in this guide represent a holistic, evidence-based framework that neurologists recommend to patients for long-term migraine control. When combined with professional medical care, the results are transformative: fewer attacks, shorter duration, lower severity, and ultimately a life less ruled by pain.

The single most impactful action you can take today — beyond these lifestyle changes — is consulting a specialist neurologist. At NeuroWellness, our expert team creates a personalised migraine management plan using the latest diagnostic tools and treatment options available in Bangalore.

Suffering from Frequent Migraines? We Can Help.

Our expert neurologists at NeuroWellness Bangalore provide personalised migraine diagnosis and treatment — from lifestyle plans to the latest preventive therapies.

🏥  Available at: Jayanagar 9th Block & Kauvery Hospital, Electronic City, Bangalore

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Migraines

1. What are the most common migraine triggers?

Common migraine triggers include stress, lack of sleep, dehydration, skipping meals, caffeine (too much or sudden withdrawal), bright or flickering lights, strong smells, hormonal changes, and certain foods like aged cheese, processed meats, alcohol, MSG, and chocolate. Triggers vary between individuals — keeping a migraine diary is the most reliable way to identify yours.

2. How can I stop a migraine at home?

At the first sign of a migraine, rest in a dark, quiet room. Apply a cold pack to your forehead or neck. Take any prescribed medication early — triptans work best when taken at the onset. Stay hydrated, avoid screens, and reduce all sensory stimulation. If you experience migraines more than 4 times a month, consult a neurologist for preventive treatment.

3. When should I see a doctor for my migraines?

See a neurologist if: you have more than 4 migraine days per month; attacks are getting longer or more frequent; your usual medication is no longer effective; migraines are affecting your work or daily life. Seek immediate emergency care for a sudden ‘worst headache of your life’ or any headache with fever, stiff neck, or neurological symptoms.

4. Can migraines be permanently cured?

Migraines cannot always be completely cured, but they can be very effectively managed. With the right combination of lifestyle modifications, trigger avoidance, and preventive medications, most patients experience dramatic reductions in attack frequency and severity. Many patients go into long periods of remission with early specialist care.

5. What foods should I avoid to prevent migraines?

Common dietary triggers include aged cheese, red wine and other alcohol, excess caffeine, processed meats with nitrates, foods with MSG, artificial sweeteners (aspartame), and chocolate. Dietary triggers are highly individual — a food diary alongside your migraine diary is the best way to identify your personal triggers.

6. Is migraine a serious neurological condition?

Yes. Migraine is classified as a neurological disorder and ranks among the top three most prevalent health conditions worldwide and top ten causes of disability. Chronic migraine (15+ headache days per month) significantly impairs quality of life, work productivity, and mental health. It should not be dismissed as ‘just a headache.

If you are suffering from headache and looking to heal with Headache Specialist in Bangalore then you are on the right page. In this article, you will get 7 tips to heal your headache but before we jump to tips let’s understand some important information about the headache.

How Medical Define Headache?

The medical definition of “headache” is a pain in the head, which is located in the front, side, back of the head, and neck.

Let me quote the definition of Wikipedia –

“Headache is the symptom of pain in the face, head, or neck. It can occur as migraine, tension-type headache, or cluster headache. There is an increased risk of depression in those with severe headaches. Headaches can occur as a result of many conditions.”

Headache

Headache is classified mainly into two categories: Primary and secondary.

A primary headache is usually benign and longstanding. Common primary headaches are migraine and tension-type headache. They have typical features – Migraine, tends to be pulsating in character, affecting one side of the head, associated with nausea, disabling in severity and it usually lasts between 3 hours and 3 days.

7-Tips-to-cure-your-headach

Secondary Headache: This may be caused by problems elsewhere in the head or neck. Some of these are not harmful, such as cervicogenic headache (pain arising from the neck muscles). Medication overuse headache may occur in those using excessive analgesics or other medication for a headache.

Serious causes of secondary headache include brain tumours, stroke and brain hemorrhage. Patients having a very severe headache, thunderclap headache or sudden change in the pattern of long duration headache or having associated symptoms like vision loss, frequent vomiting, seizures and drowsiness may have a serious disease. This type of headache requires a brain scan (CT or MRI Scan). It may also require surgery depending on the pathology. Brain tumour biopsy or surgery may be required to know the tissue diagnosis or to relieve the headache and other associated neurological symptoms.

Why do we get headaches?

There are perceptions that headaches are a pain that originate from the brain. By the way, that is not the case because while the brain makes us a sense of pain in different parts of our bodies, it is unable to feel any pain itself.

So the pain we feel when we get a headache usually initiates from the nerves, blood vessels, and muscles that cover our head and neck.

7-Tips-to-cure-your-headach

Actually, we feel pain when these muscles or blood vessels expand, contract, or go through other changes that activate the nerves around them to send a pain signal to the brain. If you wish to know more please visit a Headache Specialist in Bangalore.

What causes headaches?

There are many different reasons of headaches. Some of the most common triggers include stress, dehydration, computer or TV fatigue, loud music, smoking, alcohol, caffeine, hunger, sleeplessness and eye strain. Each type of common headache pain varies in intensity, location, for example, the top, back, or front of the head, and duration.

Sometimes hormonal changes could trigger a headache—for example, the dreaded period headache! Some kinds of headaches, like migraines, could also be hereditary which can be treated by a Best doctor for migraine in Bangalore. Stress and anxiety may trigger some people’s headaches, and some seem to have no apparent cause.

7 Tips to Heal Your Headache

Now that you are aware of Headache and its causes here you get 7 Tips to Heal Your Headache

1. Take Analgesic/pain killer after consulting the Neurosurgeon in Bangalore

In this article, all tips belong to writer experience and written for sharing information but please consult a Neurosurgeon in Bangalore before taking pain medications including the most commonly used paracetamol. Let me help you understand about paracetamol – It is very common pain reliever medicine but it has some side effects such as stomach upset – nausea and vomiting over usage can cause liver damage.

 medicine

Next common medicine used by the common man is aspirin. People with stomach ulcers or on blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin) should not take aspirin. Alcohol use increases the risk of bleeding. People older than 60 years and those with kidney problems should not take aspirin unless advised by their Headache Specialist in Bangalore.

2. Try Heating Pad or Hot Compress

If you have a headache due to tension, the doctor may advise – a heating pad on your neck or the lower back of your head. If you have a sinus headache, hold a warm cloth to the area that hurts. A warm shower might also help.

Hot Compress

3. Dim the Lights

If you stay in Bright or flickering light like long work duration in front of computer/laptop screen, can cause headaches. If you’re prone to lighting devices, use the best quality eyeglasses or wear sunglasses while going outdoors.

Dim the Lights

4. Try Head Massage

Your neurosurgeon in Bangalore may advise the best cure but a few minutes of massaging your forehead, neck, and temples can help ease a tension headache, which may result from stress. Or apply gentle, rotating pressure to the painful area.

5. Avoid Stress

Stress leads to many health issues and headache is one of them. Stress is nothing but the body’s response to a challenge or demand. Everyone experiences stress, which can be triggered by a range of events, from small daily hassles to major life incidents like family issues, toxic relationships, and divorce or job loss. Try to be punctual on your healthy diets and good sleep.

Avoid Stress

6. Call Your Headache Specialist in Bangalore

Headache may lead to many neurological problems – for example, if you suffer from chronic headaches and can’t find relief with normal medications, you might be experiencing cervicogenic headaches.

concernA headache that gets worse even after you take pain medications so if you have an immediate health concern, don’t wait weeks to book an appointment with the best Headache Specialist in Bangalore.

Our expert Neuro team at NeuroWellness in Bengaluru provides consultation and treatment to all neuro problems.

Please visit

NeuroWellness
Brain and Spine Clinic
#1224, Ground-Floor, 26th Main, Jayanagar 9th Block
BANGALORE – 560069

Phone No
72596 69911
73490 17701

Website www.neurowellness.in

Facebook www.facebook.com/neurowellness.in/

Disclaimer: This information is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader is advised to always seek the advice of a physician prior to changing any treatment or to receive answers to questions regarding a specific medical condition.