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Updated: 3:57 PM Jul 2, 2009
Medical Minute 7-2: Roadmap for the Brain
It's one of the most delicate places to operate, and sometimes brain surgery to remove tumors is too risky. Doctors created a better roadmap of the brain to guide them through surgery. For one woman it provided an option when others told her it was too late.
Posted: 3:43 PM Jul 2, 2009Reporter: Melissa Medalie Email Address: news@wctv.tv |
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Newlyweds Stacy and Jeff Buzzard quickly learned the meaning of in sickness and in health.
"It was just a few days after we were married that it got to the point that I couldn't do anything. I remember saying to my husband that I know I'm dying," said Stacy Buzzard.
She had a fist-sized brain tumor covering a quarter of her brain.
"I remember screaming at home and telling him that it felt like someone was stabbing my eyes out," said Stacy Buzzard.
Doctors designed a computer program specifically for Stacy using four different imaging technologies: M-R-I, functional M-R-I, diffusion tensor imaging and C-T- angiography.
Surgeons mapped out a three-D image of the tumor and brain. With this clear picture, the tumor went from inoperable to treatable because doctors could see vital vessels and maneuver around them.
"The size of the tumor was so large that I needed to know where the arteries and veins were located," said John Tew.
"This allows you to do basically sort of a virtual surgery before actually going in and doing the surgery on the patient," said James Leach.
Doctors removed 90% of Stacy's tumor without harming healthy brain tissue. She was talking and walking the same night.
"It was a blessing, there's no question. I saw it as a blessing," said John Tew.
She had radiation and chemo to treat the remaining tumor.
"I'm really excited about the future and I feel really optimistic and positive," she said.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: UC Neuroscience Institute OH -866-941-UCNI (8264)

