Thousand Oaks, United States, August 17,2019- Jordan Blust was suffering from persistent headaches. The then 39-year-old would take an aspirin and feel a little relief only to feel his head pounding again like it was going to explode. He accepted that he, like his other family members, was relegated to enduring a life of persistent headaches. It was only due to a fluke that the true source of the headaches was uncovered.
After having suffered a deep cut, Blust went to the Los Robles Regional Medical Center emergency room and while being treated, told doctors about his severe and persistent headaches. They ordered an MRI and, lo and behold, a massive tumor was discovered in his left frontal lobe, which is where the brain function linked to speech is located. Doctors immediately contacted experts at the California Institute of Neuroscience (CIN).
A team of CIN specialists working under the direction of its founder, brain surgeon Martin Mortazavi, M.D., went to work on removing the tumor.
“Mr. Blust underwent a newer procedure that allowed him to be awake during surgery,” he explained. “The awake craniotomy is a pain-free technique that allows patients talk to us during surgery and give us immediate feedback.”
During the craniotomy, a piece of the skull is temporarily removed to access the brain — in Blust’s case, near the speech center. Mortazavi says that when a tumor is situated near an area of the brain that controls such a critical function, an awake craniotomy is the best and safest way to preserve function without damaging critical nerves that could cause permanent disability. The tumor was extracted in its entirety, and Blust was able to resume his normal life. Two and one-half years later, however, the tumor grew back.
“After completing the initial treatment, we recommend that patients like Mr. Blust take periodic scans because brain tumors can recur,” said Mortazavi. “This is not something we can control, but regular monitoring does offer patients the most hope. So Blust, once again, underwent an awake craniotomy and while that surgery was successful, the tumor has, once again, reemerged — this time in a malignant form. Mortazavi says that Blust’s case offers a cautionary tale. “Though we will never know if Mr. Blust would have enjoyed a more successful outcome had he been diagnosed sooner, it bears pointing out that headaches associated with brain tumors are distinctive.”
Mortazavi says to watch out for:
headaches that wake you up at night
headache pain that worsens over time.
headache pain that doesn’t respond to standard pain relievers such as aspirin, Tylenol or Advil
headaches that last for days or weeks at a time
The California Institute of Neuroscience has earned a stellar reputation in the prevention, diagnosis, surgical treatment and post-surgical aspects of a range of disorders affecting the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves and cerebrovascular system. The team, who are experts at treating aneurysms, AVM, skull base tumors such as pituitary tumors, acoustic neuromas, and meningiomas, trigeminal neuralgia, and any other medical condition related to the brain and spine, employ the safest and latest technology to give patients a new lease on life.
Among the areas of specialty: neurology, neurosurgery, psychology, psychiatry, cranial maxillofacial plastic surgery, spine/peripheral neurosurgery and neuro-ophthalmology. These comprehensive services offer the patient a holistic approach to care not commonly found in typical neurosurgical practices. Visit cineuro.org or call (805) 795-7656.
