aneurysms

Posted by Patty on August 05, 1999 at 09:20:21
Twelve years ago I two brain surgeries.  The surgeries were for two berry aneurysms.  One was pressing on the optic nerve (ready to rupture), the other was further back in my brain.  They could not clip both at the same time so I underwent two surgeries two weeks apart.  The second they had to seperate my brain to reach the aneursym.  To make a long story short everything went well and I've had no side affects to date.  My question is, I have been on 400 miligrams of dilantin a day for the last 12 years.  Do I still need to be on dilantin?  Never had a seizure... nor do I want one now, but I have heard that taking dilantin long term is associated with lymphoma.  Is there any research on this? I am thankful for the wonderful neurosurgeon I had, he saved my life, but I am wondering about the dilantin.  Thank you very much for your opinion.
P.S.  Is there any research on hereditary and berry aneurysms?  I have a daughter about to deliver a baby and the thought of an aneursym is always on my mind.

Posted by CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS on August 05, 1999 at 17:02:09
Dear Patty:
I would think that since you have not had seizures, it might be an idea to try and wean off the dilantin.  As you know, dilantin or any medication has side effects and if there is no pressing reason to be on the medication then I would ask your neurosurgeon if he/she could wean you off.  There have been many people who have been on dilantin much longer than 12 years without many side effects.  But, I would check about weaning the medication.  Aneurysms have been found to run in some families but the exact genetic inheritance is unknown.  They have also been shown to be associated with several diseases, polycystic kidneys, fibromuscular dysplasia and coarctation of the aorta. Unless your daughter has one of these diseases or others in your family have had aneurysms, I would not worry to much about your daughter.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD