Leander in US hospital for a brain lesion, doctors say wait

Late on Wednesday night, Anderson CEO Dr Clarence Brown told The Indian Express that Leander, was stable and was ‘‘responding to the medication and expressed relief to the medication administered’’. He also said multiple tests were being carried out through the day to find out the root cause; ‘‘nothing can be disclosed until ‘positive’ results.’’

Leander had checked into a local hospital on Sunday after three days of severe headaches, dizzy spells and visual disturbances. Tests revealed a 4-mm lesion in the left occipital region of the brain and he was transfered to Anderson.

What is a lesion? Essentially an inflammation, not necessarily a tumor, said Dr PSM Chandran, Director, Sports Medicine at the Sports Authority of India. ‘‘It can be caused by TB and, if so, can be treated. It could also be a malignant tumor — but even that can be treated, depending on what stage it’s in, how far it’s spread.’’

That’s the worst-case scenario. It could also be something as simple as a worm lodged in the brain, says a leading neurological consultant at Mumbai’s Tata Memorial Hospital. ‘‘It comes from eating bad meat, and is quite common in India — though not in the West. If it is, it’s easily treated’’, he said.

The development comes as Leander was to play again with old partner Mahesh Bhupathi at an ATP event in Long Island, possibly as a preamble to next year’s Olympic Games.

Now, even if he’s back in action after three months, he would probably find it tough to resume at full tilt. At 30, age isn’t on his side; most of his rivals are in their early 20s in a sport dominated by young players.