CAVERNOUS ANGEOMA

[VPSHUNT]

I was discovered in 09 with a 2cm ca in the brainstem that bleed and grew to 3cm then had operation after I told them
i was considering going to another surgon then said it was time for the operation. All they did was give me decatron for 6 months because of the swelling the growing c/a developed. i got hydrocheplis and a shunt. My 4th ventricle expanded.. my deficits put me in a wheelchair. Should this c/a have been taken out earlier when it was small and I could walk? they scheduled me for surgey then cancelled. Can decadron cause sexual problems? 32mg a dat tapr 8mg, 6, 4 four two week interval for 6 months.

Any anwers welcome.

[Daniel M Prevedello, MD]

Dear VPshunt

Brainstem cavernous angioma is a complex disease and when to operate it is one of the most challenge things in neurosurgery.
Please clarify: did you have the cavernous angioma removed? you say :"All they did was give me decatron for 6 months". That means no surgery?

[Daniel M Prevedello, MD]

Increasing the resistance, means going up on the numbers

thank you

[Daniel M Prevedello, MD]

Increasing the resistance, means going up on the numbers

thank you

[VPSHUNT]

Does that mean dialing it down?

[Daniel M Prevedello, MD]

Dear VPSHUNT

One of the ways to know if it is related is to increase the resistance on the valve and see if you get better. You should ask your neurosurgeon.
Decadron shouldn't cause any damage.

[VPSHUNT]

CAN A SHUNT BE CAUSIONS ME TO SOMETIMES VOMIT, BLURRY VISION, VESTIBULAR PROBLEMS,HAND AND FOOT STILL NUMB, AND POSS OVER DRAINAGE. CODEMAN HAKIN 30-200 SET AT 12. I DEVELOPED CSF RIGHT AFTER SURGERY AND DON'T REALLY THINK I NEEDED IT. ONE MORE ; CAN DECADRONE CAUSE DAMAGE AT 10ML DRIP 2X DAY==2 6MG X2 PILLS IN BETWEEN. AM ON HRT NUMBERS WEWNT LOW NEAR 200.....CAN I GET THIS SHUNT OUT I HAVE NO HYDRO FOR 16 MONTHS.......THANKS....JUST SEEKING ANSWERS....

[Daniel M Prevedello, MD]

Unfortunately, there is not much that I can do from here as well other than tell you to go to the ER if you get worse. The advantage with that is that you would be admitted and they will be able to do the appropriate tests.

Normal pressure hydrocephalus is when somebody has dilation of the ventricles inside the brain but with no documented increased pressure. It is a normal pressure hydrocephalus.

[VPSHUNT]

My nero can't see me til maech and says go to er . I can't walk. am dizzy and fid myself vomiting somrtimes and my vision is blurry.

[VPSHUNT]

What normal pressure hydrocephlis is?

[Daniel M Prevedello, MD]

Dear VPSHUNT

I would need to see your MRI in order to give any opinion. I cannot interpret somebodys interpretation.
Since your shunt is programable, I believe your doctor may be able to try some adjustments in order to see if that would immprove your symptoms.

[VPSHUNT]

My last mri report say once again no hydroceplis. It says that all ventrical systems are flowing correctly. I have a Hakim porgramable shut. The number start at 30 and go to 200. Mine is on 12. I beleive I don't need it as one report states that the surgery was the cause of the hydrocephlis which is understandable. My lateral ventricals on the left look like there is no fluid in them. I have extreme veritgo and wonder shoul the shunt be turned off and see if the dizziness goes away, I will see my surgon in 3 weeks are there any spacific questions I should ask. My ca bled all summer and there was blood everywhere.My vision is getting blurry again.I have heard too many bad stories about shunts. After an operation like the one I had is there not another way to bring the fluid down without a shunt?

My surgons' office tells me if I am having any trouble with the shunt to go to the er???? Is that normal? Can you tell me what this means from my mri report of Jan/11--"There is persistant abnormal single and expansion of the right medulla representing hypertrophic oliivary degeneration"

Thank You....

[Daniel M Prevedello, MD]

I dont believe a mesh plate would cause dizziness. It actually protects the brain by replacing the bony area that was removed. It is hard to compare your outcome with other patients, because each cavernous malformation is different and in a different location.

[VPSHUNT]

One other question. i am dizzy all the day long. no other person i know has this surgery is   and they are walking. could the mess plate installed be causing compression on my brainstem? could it be too tight. as my c/a grew all they did was give me steriods to releive the swelling caused by the mass effect on the 4th ventrcle. could that have damged my cerribellum/ this dizzyness is driving me nuts. walking in a walker is getting tough. ik can't walk unassisted......thank you

[VPSHUNT]

The cavernoma was remvoed in September 09. I am 16 months post opt and watched as they let me go from walking to increased deficits to a wheelchair. During th 6 months in and out of the hospital it bleed a few times and all I got was 32mg of decadron per day.As
I reveiw my films i see the c/a grew to 3.2cm from 2.2 in the pons. When i first arrived at the hospital the first they scheduled me for surgery then canncelled. i know other patients they did this too and they went else where and are walking. my cranial nerves took a beaten--there was blood everywhere. The cut was 8 inches in the  back.

The hydrocehlisi started 30 days after threepy and my eyedoctor found it. i no lpnger have it, i have a programable halim shunt originally set to 10 then 12. it looks like it can go up too 200. could this be causing my vertigo ? am i under draing at that numer? my surgeon office says it stays at twelve and if i have any problems with it i am to go to the er. i want it out. my last report says all ventrclrs are flowing normally. my visionis hrd to focus. when i told these guys i was alking to the barron people in az thry said they would operate. any input welcom. i just had an mri. these are the ruddest people in the medical trade i have ever met. you wounldn,t beleive my hospital stay.

than you - i type with one finger so i make mistakes.












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