FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 11, 2002
SEEING IS BELIEVING
EDISON, NJ --When one is diagnosed with a tumor, there are many questions
that will arise. What type of tumor is it? What is the best course of
treatment? And what is the expected outcome? But when a patient is pregnant,
and looking forward to a happy, healthy child, one question rises to the
forefront. How can we protect the pregnancy?
Michele Glynn, 35, of Red Bank came to the New Jersey Neuroscience Institute
in Edison this past August. Her ophthalmologist, who was concerned about
why her vision was declining, referred her. Her vision was not only impaired,
but also getting progressively worse. An MRI was obtained that revealed
a large tumor at the base of the skull compressing the optic nerves (vision
nerve). The optic nerve was still alive, but in order to save her vision,
immediate surgery would be needed. Neurosurgeon Dr. Kenneth Liebman knew
that any delay in surgical treatment could result in complete loss of
vision in her right eye. Surgery would alleviate the pressure on the optic
nerve, but there was one thing that would complicate the surgery. Michele
was 22 weeks pregnant.
Not only would pregnancy complicate the surgery, but tumors can be hormonally
sensitive. "There was a chance that the increased hormones due to
her pregnancy were influencing the development of the tumor itself, accelerating
its growth," says Dr. Liebman. "That accelerated growth demanded
a rapid yet comprehensive and mindful response."
Neurosurgery always presents many challenges, but a case such as this
doubles every concern. "Not only was the surgery focused on the health
of the patient, it was focused on the health of the baby," says Dr.
Liebman.
According to Dr. Liebman there are concerns, of course, whenever you operate,
but when a tumor is already putting pressure on the optic nerve and there
are resulting visual problems, the risks of the surgery increase -- but
so too does the potential positive outcome.
"We had talked to Michele in great detail about the different options
available to her in her condition," explains Dr. Liebman. "She
could avoid surgery, allowing the tumor to run its course, in which case
she could ultimately go blind. Or she could pursue surgery and attempt
to remove the tumor, thereby prevent blindness and restoring her vision."
According to Dr. Liebman, the decision to pursue surgery would require
special consideration to the health of the baby.
"We reviewed the case thoroughly with the anesthesiologist, the obstetrician,
the perinatologist, and neonatologist to consider every possible concern.
Everybody was focused on not only doing what was right for the patient,
but what was also right for the baby." That focus would alter many
aspects of the treatment. For instance, there were certain medications
that would make the surgery exponentially easier but that simply could
not be used because they would interfere with the blood supply to the
fetus.
For every concern, Dr. Liebman comments that the six -hour surgery was
uneventful with the best outcome possible. Using an ultrasonic aspirator,
which allows for the debulking of a tumor with greater ease while minimizing
trauma to the eye nerve, Michele's vision was restored. With excitement
in his voice Dr. Liebman comments that the tumor was completely
removed. "Michelle's vision is now close to 20/20 in both eyes and
she delivered a healthy baby in October."
Says Dr. Liebman, "We were able to save this woman's vision and protect
the life of her child because our multidisciplinary approach and the caliber
of the medical team allow for rapid yet expert response." This year
alone, Dr. Liebman and his staff have managed a half dozen similar cases,
with some patients vision in such jeopardy that they were seen one day,
subsequently admitted with urgent surgery. Michele's case in particular
exemplifies how the staff at the Institute truly cares for the patient.
Says Dr. Liebman, "We present every possible option, giving the patient
the ability to not only review what treatments are available but to determine
the best treatment for them individually."
Founded in 1992, The New Jersey Neuroscience Institute at JFK Medical
Center is a comprehensive facility designed exclusively for the diagnosis,
treatment, and research of complex neurological disorders in adults and
children. Services offered at the Institute include programs in degenerative
and complex spine disorders, spine and brain tumors, the treatment of
blood vessel disorders of the brain, dizziness and balance disorders,
epilepsy, cerebral palsy, stroke and movement disorders, and a comprehensive
sleep disorder clinic and laboratory. For more information on the New
Jersey Neuroscience Institute, please call (732) 321-7950 or visit www.njneuro.org.
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