Case Study: Favour Bangura
Patient Name: Favour Bangura
Age/Sex: 14-year-old Female
Nationality: Sierra Leone
Primary Symptom: Severe breathing difficulty
Final Diagnosis: Abernethy Syndrome causing Pulmonary Hypertension
Recommended Treatment: Liver Transplant

1. Patient Background
Favour Bangura, a 14-year-old girl from Sierra Leone, had been experiencing progressive breathing difficulty for several months. Her symptoms were concerning and significantly affecting her daily activities.

Despite multiple medical consultations in Sierra Leone, doctors were unable to identify the exact cause of her breathing problem. Several tests were performed locally, but the underlying condition remained unclear.

Her mother, Adama Bangura, was already familiar with the services of Med Access India, as she had previously traveled to India with her son the previous year for medical treatment through Med Access. Based on her positive experience, she contacted Med Access again for assistance in evaluating her daughter&s condition.

2. Med Access Case Management Approach
Med Access India initiated a structured case management process to help identify the underlying cause of Favour’s illness and guide the family toward the best treatment decision. The case was managed using the Med Access Six Steps to Best Surgery Decisions framework.

3. Step 1: Selection of Highest Quality Specialists for Case Review
Given the complexity of the symptoms, Med Access coordinated consultations with a multidisciplinary team of specialists in India. The medical team involved:

• Pediatric Cardiologist
• Pulmonologist
• Hepatologist

This multidisciplinary approach ensured that all possible causes of her breathing difficulty were thoroughly evaluated.

4. Step 2: Establishing an Accurate Diagnosis
Favour first consulted a Pediatric Cardiologist.

Cardiology Evaluation-
Multiple cardiac tests and imaging scans were performed to evaluate her heart function. Results showed no structural or functional abnormalities in the heart. Since cardiac causes were ruled out, the case was referred to a Pulmonologist.

Pulmonology Evaluation-
The pulmonologist performed detailed lung investigations, including scans and respiratory assessments. Findings revealed:
• Presence of Pulmonary Hypertension
• However, the condition was not caused by heart disease or lung disease
This unusual finding suggested that another organ might be contributing to the condition.The case was then referred to a Hepatologist.

Hepatology Evaluation
After detailed liver investigations and specialized imaging studies, doctors identified a rare congenital vascular disorder of the liver known as Abernethy Syndrome.

5. Final Diagnosis
Favour was diagnosed with:

Abernethy Syndrome
This is an extremely rare congenital condition where abnormal blood vessels divert blood away
from the liver instead of passing through it normally.

As a result:
• Toxins bypass the liver’s filtration process
• This can lead to Pulmonary Hypertension and other complications
• The condition often requires advanced surgical intervention

After thorough evaluation, doctors concluded that the definitive treatment would be a Liver Transplant.

6. Step 3: Exploring Treatment Options
Because liver transplantation is a major and highly specialized surgery, Med Access provided the family with multiple treatment options across different destinations and hospitals.

The family was given information regarding:
• Leading liver transplant centers
• Experienced transplant surgeons
• Estimated treatment costs
• Treatment timelines

This allowed the family to evaluate different options before making a decision.

7. Step 4: Patient Education and Counseling
Understanding that Abernethy Syndrome is a rare and complex condition, Med Access provided the patient and her mother with comprehensive educational support. They were given:

• Medical articles explaining Abernethy Syndrome
• Educational videos about liver transplantation
• Information resources from trusted medical websites
• Detailed explanations of the transplant procedure, risks, and recovery

This helped the family better understand the condition and the treatment pathway.

8. Step 5: Selection of the Best Specialist and Center of Excellence
Med Access shared profiles of leading liver transplant surgeons and hospitals with the family. After reviewing the available options and receiving expert guidance, the diagnosis of Abernethy Syndrome was confirmed by specialists, and liver transplantation was recommended as the definitive treatment option.The family expressed deep appreciation to Med Access for helping them identify the correct diagnosis for such a rare disease, which had previously remained undetected.

9. Role of Med Access India
Through its Surgery Decision Support and Case Management services, Med Access helped the patient and her family:

• Identify the correct diagnosis
• Connect with top specialists
• Understand complex treatment options
• Receive guidance for major surgery decisions
• Plan the next steps for advanced treatment

10. Conclusion
Favour Bangura’s case highlights the importance of accurate diagnosis and multidisciplinary medical evaluation, especially in rare conditions that may not be easily identified in routine medical settings. Through the coordinated efforts of Med Access India and specialist doctors, the underlying cause of her breathing difficulty was successfully diagnosed as Abernethy Syndrome, enabling the family to pursue the appropriate life-saving treatment.

Med Access Surgery Decision Support
Med Access provides expert clinical guidance, personalized patient support, and complete coordination to help patients:

• Confirm the correct diagnosis
• Explore the best treatment options worldwide
• Connect with leading specialists and hospitals
• Prepare for and recover from major surgeries