Mumbai, October 2025: A man in his 50s walked into Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central after three days of severe imbalance unable to stand upright and feeling as if the ground was shifting beneath his feet. What seemed like a classic stroke turned out to be something far more unusual and completely reversible.

Consultant Neurologist Dr. Sheetal Goyal led the evaluation. The patient’s blood pressure and sugar levels were under control, yet the sudden onset of imbalance was concerning. An MRI scan, done to rule out stroke, revealed a rare white lesion in the splenium of the corpus callosum- a region that connects the two halves of the brain.

“This pattern is extremely rare,” noted Dr. Goyal. “It can occur in certain viral infections or metabolic disturbances and catching it early is critical for recovery.”

On reviewing his medical history, Dr. Goyal uncovered a small but crucial clue, a mild, short-lived fever a few days before the imbalance began. Further testing confirmed chikungunya infection, unusually presenting with only neurological symptoms and none of the typical signs like joint pain or body ache.

The neurology team promptly initiated steroid therapy, and within three days, the patient showed remarkable improvement. A week later, his balance and coordination had completely returned to normal.

“This case reminds us that not every episode of sudden imbalance or dizziness is a stroke,” said Dr. Goyal. “Sometimes, a simple viral infection can affect the brain and with timely diagnosis, it’s completely reversible.”

What could have been a life-altering neurological crisis turned into a story of complete recovery thanks to swift thinking, precise diagnosis, and expert multidisciplinary care at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central.