Thick cortex???HELP!

[andrewsmom]

OK my new friends in unoland, I am calling on anyone who can help me with more information.
Andrew had an MRI a few weeks ago to check his neck and check his hydrocephalus (fluid on brain). I got a call from the neurosurgeon's office asking if we could come in this morning. So off we went. He told us that the fluid volume had not changed and did not recommend a shunt at this time, they will just keep an eye on it. However, he said Andrew had Cortical displasia. I'm sure that's not spelled right. He said the brain has an otter covering called the cortex, and then tubes that bring nerves to the brain. Well Andrew's cortex is very thick. He said he usually sees this in kids who have seizures. He asked if Andrew had ever had a seisure. I said no and he seemed shocked by my answer. He told us what to do if he has a seisure, which scared me to death! I came right home and hopped on to WEBMD.COM and could find no information about this. If any of you know anything about this, could you PLEASE give me some info. or point me in the right direction? We have an appt. set up to see a neurologist on July 6th now. I just can't wait for info that long.

Thanks in advance from your uno friend with no patience. ;D - Trisha

[rickismom]

Doctors love to scare people, don't they?
Basic first aid for seizures would be ensuring an airway if the child has a grand mal (full ) seizure. The danger is if the tongue falls back. A tongue depressor can do this well, and it may be good for you to buy a few and have in several places around the house.
If he hasn't hasd till now, I can't see that hes likely to have before your appointment........

[Valerie]

Really don't know anything about this, but just wanted to say if they think he's "prone" to seizures because of this cortex, you may just want to watch him closely if he ever has a fever, as some small children can have febrile seizures.

Other than that, keep your chin up! It may be absolutely nothing! Good luck!

[Pat]

Remember doctors practice medicine.
Docs can understand why people could have seizures but not why they don't. I remember reading, a long time ago, about people with migraines & how the docs don't understand why they don't have seizures.

[wrblack]

Well, I went off web surfing and have no useful info to offer. Afraid you'll have to rely on the doctors here. I would have thought the neurosurgeon would be better able to diagnose and discuss cerebral cortical dysplasia than the neurologist. But what do I know? Didn't know that any hydrocephalus was an issue with Andrew. And, from what little I know about hydrocephalus, think they would have expected a thin cortex instead of a thick cortex.
Does occur to me to ask if a neuroradiologist reviewed the MRI, maybe the neurologist would wonder that too. And, though I would quickly and gladly defer to any one of those specialist, I'd also welcome the 2nd and 3rd opinions from them.
So maybe you'll just have to wait until July 6 for more info. Sorry. And try not to worry overmuch in the meantime. I know, easier said than done.
Regards, Bob

[momofrussell]

Trisha.. I know nothing on this stuff. Sorry. Just hoping you get some answers soon! I wish your doc appt was sooner!!!!

Hugs!!

A.

[andrewsmom]

Thank you all for your replies. You're all so nice to go out of your way to surf the net for info for me. I will definately ask for more then one opinion, and plan on asking if I can have a copy of some of the MRI images. I will let you all know how it goes. Maybe this will help someone else. Thanks again!!

[Kristen]

Yeah, I would loook around more. If he starts to seize, get him on his side and pull his lower jaw forward, making sure his tongue does not fall back and block the airway. That is what I was taught in school. There are also "absent seizures" where a child looks sorta spaced out for a few secs then comes back with it. That is a pretty common child thing, but worth looking out for.