Neurologists see little sign of activity in Schiavo's brain

KRT Wire ^ | 3.23.05

[ambrose]

Posted on Wed, Mar. 23, 2005

Neurologists see little sign of activity in Schiavo's brain

BY BOB LAMENDOLA

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - (KRT) - Scans of Terri Schiavo's brain show that the great majority of her gray matter where thinking and feeling occur has died off and been replaced by watery fluid, with no chance of growing back, neurologists said.

About 70 to 90 percent of Schiavo's upper brain is gone, and there's also damage to her lower brain that controls instinctive functions like breathing and swallowing, said three Florida neurologists who viewed 12 of her CT "computed tomography" X-ray scans Tuesday and Wednesday.

"This is as severe brain damage as I've ever seen," said Dr. Leon Prockop, a professor and former chairman of neurology at the University of South Florida College of Medicine in Tampa, upon viewing the scans.

[MHGinTN]

Thank you for the cogent post.

BTW, if insulin were injected directly into the frontal lobes, what would be the result if the patient didn't die?

[cajungirl]

We agree.

Did you see the entire ct scan or just the one pic posted.

And, can you do a PET with the stimulator in the brain. Some say it is a shunt, others that stimulator they put in. Whatever, can you do the PET with that in?

[feedback doctor]

The bloodlust of some here is really scary.

What a dopey remark! We're having a discussion, and you're hurling insults like a school boy.

Both of you calm down and have some water.

[Keeley Finn]

Thank you, I HAVN'T GOT THAT KIND OF A RESPONSE FOR MOST PEOPLE, i HAVE TO GO NOW, BUT YOU WILL SEE ME AGAIN

[lotusblos]

"Go get a refreshing glass of water and calm down."

Is that supposed to be cute or witty? You've posted it several times.

[lepton]

You think humans are capable of regenerating brains?

Over the last 10 years, we have found that within limits, apparently they can. Most of the stuff about when and how brains stop developing we thought we knew in 1990 has been shown to be false.

That may or may not be relevant in this case, but I thought I'd make that correction.

[Toskrin]

Yes, PET and functional MRI (not conventional MRI) can do just that. But, despite all the technology, the physical exam is still the best tool we have.

[Kramster]

Poor Terri should have put his in wrtitting

Yes -- this would've prevented all of this.

[Toskrin]

I only saw the one picture, not all the images. Yes, you can do a PET with a stimulator. It looks like she has a shunt on the CT, but it's well documented that she also has a thalamic stimulator. She might have both. For what it's worth I would guess that she almost certainly would have had a MRI done in 1990 before the stimulator was placed.

[lotusblos]

"...but the Noble-prize nominated neurologist did"

Jimmy Carter got a Nobel prize. They're worthless.

[cajungirl]

Ah neurologists! They still do their exams unlike alot of specialists who just order tests.

I don't think I have ever met a neurologist who didn't do a proper, full length exam without short cuts.

You know the conclusion I have come to is that the Schindlers have not had good experts and lawyers along the way. The Docs they brought in have not been top drawer. And I do believe their lawyer did not handle the latest appeals well.

It seems to me that somehow it should not have come to this, a last minute effort to get everyone to do the impossible.

[DonnerT]

It's amazing how certain people on FR are so positively dedicated to ensuring that Terri continue to suffer indefinately, isn't it?

Well, and rather disgusting as well, no?

[AFreeBird]

The brain rewires itself.

In some cases it can, but it usually requires some brain matter to actually rewire.

[cajungirl]

Au Contraire my dear! Swallow tests have everything to do with rehab. Eating normally is sort of a requirement for daily life, would you not agree. People who cannot swallow have difficult times, choke to death etc.

[B Knotts]

How can she be suffering? I thought the pro-death crowd claimed she was "brain dead."

[cajungirl]

I don't think you can have it both ways.

Is terri suffering,,those who want her to die say no, she is not feeling a damn thing including being starved.

Yall also say "yes", lets end her suffering. That those who want her to live also want her to suffer.

So what is it? Is she suffering or not? Can you at least speak honestly and not out of both sides of your mouth.

[cajungirl]

Amazing isn't it, taking either position depending on what ppoint they want to make.

I don't think she was suffering except from neglect, easily remedial.

Until they started to starve and dehydrate her. Then the suffering got really serious.

[jwpjr]

re: MRI scan of Terri

She has some sort of metal electrode(s) implanted in her brain. I forget what purpose they serve, but I do remember thinking when I heard the explanation that the electrodes were just another effort by her "husband" to assure her death. Wish I could recall the details, but with the metal electrode(s) an mri will not be done.

[Jorge]

Amen!

[Toskrin]

You know the conclusion I have come to is that the Schindlers have not had good experts and lawyers along the way. The Docs they brought in have not been top drawer. And I do believe their lawyer did not handle the latest appeals well.

I think you are right on the money. It's the Schindlers' experts that I have been the most disgusted with. Her parents have a valid case, and it's been ruined by their experts' false promises and questionable reputations.