Inquest: New Milton man Robert Davis died after suffering complications in surgery on rare tumour hypothalamic hamartoma, Winchester Coroners’ Court hears

A NEW Milton man who was born with a rare brain tumour which was later removed thanks to his family’s fundraising died after suffering complications from surgery, an inquest heard.

Robert Davis (29), of Andrew Lane, was found dead in his bedroom by his father on 16th August 2023.

Winchester Coroners’ Court heard that by the time Ryan was seven, he was suffering with up to 40 seizures a day. He had been born with hypothalamic hamartoma, a rare, non-cancerous tumour which grows on the hypothalamus, part of the brain that controls many bodily functions.

His mother told the hearing that the condition – which affects only four known children in the country – was not treatable in the UK, adding: “A lot of doctors hadn’t heard about it, so they did not know how to treat it. We found a surgeon in Australia and we fundraised and took him.”

The inquest heard that due to its rarity, the impact of the surgery on his brain was unknown, but left Robert with issues with his thyroid and metabolism.

Pathologist Dr Victoria Elliot, who carried out the post-mortem, told the hearing Mr Davis had been suffering with coronary artery atherosclerosis, which had caused “significant” narrowing of his left coronary artery of between 50% and 75%.

Often seen in older patients, she explained Mr Davis likely suffered with the condition as a result of his surgery, which caused metabolic changes and had resulted in obesity, which is a risk factor of coronary artery atherosclerosis.

Coroner Jason Pegg ruled Mr Davis – described by his family as “funny and generous” – died from natural causes. Paying his condolences, he said the situation was “deeply tragic”.