NY Neurosurgeon recommendations

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JD - 25 Jul 2003 04:26 GMT

My brother has been having seizures for about 8 years. After a recent
bout of seizures, his neurologist had an MRI done and an arachnoid
cyst was discovered. I don't know why this never turned up on any
previous tests, but his neurologist says it is probably congenital and
has referred him to a neurosurgeon.

I'm skeptical as to why this wasn't discovered until now, especially
since the neurologist thinks it's congenital. My brother has been in
the hospital quite a few times after seizures. I would think an MRI
would be a standard test after someone has a seizure for the first
time, but maybe I'm mistaken???

Anyway, I definitely want my brother to go for a second opinion to a
doctor unaffiliated with his neurosurgeon.

So I guess my questions are:
1) Does anyone have any recommendations for a top-notch neurosurgeon
in the New York area?
2) Is there a good resource on the web or in print that I can use to
check out a doctor's credentials?

Any help is much appreciated.

JD

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CyberCafe - 25 Jul 2003 22:28 GMT

> My brother has been having seizures for about 8 years. After a recent
> bout of seizures, his neurologist had an MRI done and an arachnoid
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> would be a standard test after someone has a seizure for the first
> time, but maybe I'm mistaken???

There's a little information about arachnoid cysts at
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorders/aracysts_doc.htm
Notice that in some people the cysts don't show up until a person is a
little older.

I don't know if an MRI is a standard test. It didn't used to be standard
mostly because a lot of facilities did not have MRI machines. You are
more likely to find MRI facilities at big medical centers or hospitals,
but I don't think small practices will have this as the cost of this
equipment is pretty hefty.

> Anyway, I definitely want my brother to go for a second opinion to a
> doctor unaffiliated with his neurosurgeon.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> 2) Is there a good resource on the web or in print that I can use to
> check out a doctor's credentials?

The American Medical Association has a good list of certified members with
credentials. Here's the link: <http://www.ama-assn.org/aps/amahg.htm>

Barb

> Any help is much appreciated.
>
> JD

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Rachel - 25 Jul 2003 23:02 GMT

My son's seizures started at 8 months old and a MRI was performed and read
as normal. When we could not control his seizures (they were actually
becoming worse), his neurologist read his MRI and found an abnormality that
the radiologist missed. My son had surgery this past April and is doing
great. The neurosurgeon was Dr. Peter Black at Children's Hospital in
Boston. He is supposed to be one of the best in the world. Dr. Madson, at
the same hospital, is supposed to be excellent as well. I believe both
doctors see adults as well as children for epilepsy. My husband and I were
very impressed with Dr. Black and would highly recommend him.

A second opinion is a very good idea before considering surgery. We spoke
with 3 different neurologists (2 were pediatric) and did a lot of research
on our own.

Best of luck.
Rachel

> My brother has been having seizures for about 8 years. After a recent
> bout of seizures, his neurologist had an MRI done and an arachnoid
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>
> JD

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