Brandon

We went to the neurologist yesterday to compare the MRI Brandon had before he was discharged from the hospital and the CAT scan he had last week. He said he does not see any increased pressure in the ventricles in the brain (which is where the bleed occurred) therefore no hydrocephalus which is very good. However, the ventricles did get bigger from the first MRI but he is not exactly sure what is causing it. That is not good. The bigger ventricles push out into the brain possibly causing more motor damage b/c that was the part of the brain that was affected by the bleed. Also the cyst is pushing out from the ventricle and he can not determine exact borders of the cyst and the ventricle. He did say the cyst does not cause anything, it will not get bigger, and nothing has to be done about, but it is still a dead space in his brain.
He wants us to go see a pediatric surgeon to get another opinion and possibly more extensive testing. He said an MRI gives a more detailed picture than the CAT scan. Also the neurologist is sending us to the surgeon to rule out a "trapped" ventricle. He explained that it is possible that the ventricle with the bleed is not communicating with the third ventricle (this is the ventricle that is in between the left and right ventricle)and the surgeon would need to poke holes into the "trapped" ventricle to open up the communication. Brandon's bleed is in his right ventricle therefore the left side of his body would be effected.
Also, there is no increased pressure in the part of the brain that controls eye movement (which is good) but he does not know what is causing the "sundowning". He said it may resolve on its own when Brandon develops more muscle control. We still need to watch him for signs of hydrocephalus which include increased sundowning, increased drowsiness, and vomiting.
To be continued...
P.S. David had a fever Wednesday and of course it came on right after we left the pediatrician's office but he seems to be fine now.