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What we learned today about brain surgery
- Nov 18, 2009 at 5:05 PM
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- Comments (7) Total Views (250) Everyone can see this journal post.
So, we sat down with Elijah's neurosurgeon for the last time until his next surgeries in January.
We learned a lot today about what will/can happen.
He let me take this picture in the office, and explained exactly what we are looking at.
So, they will place strips of electrodes over the frontal lobe to see if any seizures are starting there... Just for future informational use, because if we go there, we are talking a full hemispherectomy, which we are not ready to do at this time.
Behind that, in blue and red is the motor cortex, and grids and strips of electrodes will be sewed to that area for information purposes, as well.
We are HOPING, (and Dr. Ojemann think it is likely), that we will see almost ALL of Elijah's seizures starting in the back region of the brain, behind the part that was removed 4 years ago. And that part can be removed with "only" the loss of half of his vision.
Because Elijah's brain has been so effected by his seizures, and was malformed to begin with, they are hoping to leave a big buffer between the motor areas and the resection. They will also do some mapping with nerve-conduction, (but backwards), while he is still in the PICU to try and get a clear idea of where Elijah's motor functions are coming from... But there is some risk that they will inadvertently hurt function in his right side, (mainly his hand). The mapping, which is done by stimulating nerves, and seeing where the spike appears on the implanted electrodes, should help them make sure not to ressect any part of his motor cortex. (Unfortunately his actual brain isn't color-coded. LOL)
The numbers are:
5% chance of major, unexpected loss of function, (such as a stroke)
10% chance that he will have to come back to have a shunt placed because his body has a hard time regulating spinal fluid pressure.
and 5-10% chance of a major infection which would cause the loss of the bone that is removed during surgery, and mean that he would go without that bone for about 6 months until they could replace it with a metal plate.
(Those are all of the BIG worriers with this surgery)
50% (IF they find that the seizures are coming from a ressectable area) chance that he will be seizure FREE after surgery, and a much higher chance that his seizures will be drastically reduced... But again, only if the implanted electrodes show that we are able to go forward with a major removal/ disconnection of that back part of his left brain.
They will also drill 1 hole and slide 1-2 strips onto the right hemisphere of his brain. They are keeping that small, in order to avoid damaging the right side, but feel it is neccesary to determine whether removing more of the left side of his brain will actually help.
Hope that all made sense to you! I tried to put it into reasonable terms, but there is so much complicated stuff going on with this surgery, that I'm sure I skated over some of the finer details...
Anyways, we are all set to move forward with implanting the grids and strips of electrodes on January 7th, and HOPEFULLY doing the ressection of the occipital and parietal lobes after a full week of mapping on January 14th!
Comments:
wow thats alot to take in the pic realy makes it easy to see what you are talking about though. I will continue to send good vibes your way stay strong mama you all will be just fine update when you can
You are all in our prayers! Hang in there momma!
I hope all goes well for your little guy. We found out today that our DD's brain tumor is growing rapidly and were given a choice between radiation and a 3rd brain surgery for her. I know what ahard decision chosing surgery is.
You wish you and Elijah the best of luck. He will definitely be in my prayers.
sending you hugs and prayers as always. I really hope this will be the turning point for your little Elijah
I don't know you or your son but you are in my thoughts and prayers. May the Lord be you with and your baby!
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- MakkarMom
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