A teenager is forced to live with a 22lb (10kg), ‘defunct’ right hand that has also left her with claw-like fingers.
Mita Sabar, 18, from a remote village in Odisha, eastern India, is thought to be suffering from a rare case of plexiform neurofibromatosis, which makes her hand so heavy she is unable to lift it.
Ms Sabar, who is an orphan, was just 12 years old when a growth developed on her back and gradually spread to her hand, leaving her unable to walk and forcing her to quit her studies.
Cared for by her older sister Kumari, the pair were unable to afford treatment and refused to accept free medical interventions over fears Ms Sabar may die during any risky procedures.
After several rounds of counselling, Ms Sabar has finally agreed to free treatment, with doctors deciding on the best course of action.
Mita Sabar is forced to live with a 22lb (10kg), ‘defunct’ right hand that has also left her with claw-like fingers. She is thought to be suffering from plexiform neurofibromatosis
The size of her hand means Ms Sabar cannot walk and was forced to quit her studies
Refused to be operated on over fears of dying
As children, Kumari took her sister to Padmapur Community Health Centre and later to SCB Medical College and Hospital for treatment, with them initially being turned down due to them being unable to afford any operations.
In 2014, state health workers from Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakaram (RBSK) started an initiative to screen children for any health issues from birth to 19 years of age. They found Ms Sabar in her local village.
The health workers brought Ms Sabar to a hospital in Rayagada and then to SCB Medical college, but when doctors asked them to sign a risk bond, which is a normal procedure before surgery, the illiterate sisters refused.
The siblings left the hospital only to be found again by the same health workers in 2017.
Rajeshwar Patnaik, from RBSK, said: ‘The girl was in immense pain. Her hand had grown bigger and her health had deteriorated.
‘She was brought to the hospital but elder sister refused to sign the risk bond.
‘She was again brought to the hospital on 30 July after several rounds of counselling. The girls have given their consent for further treatment.’
Despite initial fears she may die during treatment, Ms Sabar has finally agreed to medical help
Ms Sabar lives in a remote village and, as an orphan, has been unable to afford treatment
Ms Sabar is waiting while doctors decide on the best course of treatment for her condition
Her enormous hand attracted media attention, which made health workers aware of her case
‘Her hand is defunct’
Speaking of what her treatment may involve, Dr Ananda Prasad Patnaik, head of the hospital’s plastic surgery department, said: ‘We have formed a committee of different disciplines and will conduct all possible tests like MRI, CT Scans, [a] biopsy, [an] angiography and take blood samples so we can diagnose her condition.
‘We cannot comment on the condition but it seems to be an extremely rare condition of Plexiform neurofibromatosis, which are histologically benign tumors.
‘Neurofibromatosis is not an uncommon condition but Mita’s case is unique because of the enormous size. It has spread from her back to her whole upper right limb.
‘It is painful and uncomfortable because of its weight. Her hand is defunct, she is not able to do anything with her hand.
‘We cannot say how long will her treatment will continue but once the diagnosis is done we will start further course of treatment. there could be stage wise surgeries.’