Thanks to reader "primer" I've been directed to the University of Miami Ethics program website where they posted this image from a CT scan of Terri Schiavo's brain in 1996. The sentence attached to the link for this scan on the site says:
CT scan of Ms. Schiavo's brain, showing extensive cortical regions filled with spinal fluid.
If you go to this link you can see the scan in a larger reproduction.
I have no further comment, but you should not base anything on what you are citing. It's wrong.
More facts?
Terri apparently has more gray matter then most of the people around her, Why for the love of god don't they do a current scan and put this issue to rest? Because m.shiavo knows better? He wants her cremated right away. Destroying any evidence of this "GRAVE ERROR". (this is no pun)........
Impossible.
Michael is a caring, loving husband who is only looking out for her best interests and wishes. He said so.
ping
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Terri was in a coma for approximately one month, and then evolved into a vegetative state. Four board-certified neurologists in Florida consulting on her care (James H. Barnhill, Garcia J. Desousa, Thomas H. Harrison, and Jeffrey M. Karp) had repeatedly made a diagnosis of PVS over the years. The initial CT scan on the day of admission, February 25, 1990, was normal but further CT scans documented a progression of widespread cerebral hemisphere atrophy, eventually resulting in CT scans of 1996 and 2002 showing extreme atrophy (CT scans-1996, 2002: "diffuse encephalomalacia and infarction consistent with anoxia, hydrocephalus ex vacuo, neural stimulator present); prior to these most recent two CT scans, CT scans had been performed on February 25, 1990, February 27, 1990, and March 30, 1990, with an MRI scan on July 24, 1990.The two most recent EEG's have demonstrated no electrical activity-on July 8, 2002: "no evidence of cerebral activity;" and October 4, 2002-"does not have any definite brain activity. However, most of the tracing is obscured by artifact from muscle and eye movement." The clinical exams over the years were entirely consistent with diagnosis of permanent vegetative state secondary to hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. From the initial hospitalization in February, 1990, until the present time, there have been no significant changes in Terri's neurological findings, and nothing in the medical records to suggest any disagreement whatsoever among Terri's attending and consulting physicians about the underlying diagnosis and prognosis for recovery. A deep brain stimulator was placed in Terri's brain on December 12, 1990 at request of the husband who flew with his wife to San Francisco for the procedure. This highly experimental form of medical treatment did not result in any clinical improvement in Terri's condition. (14)
hydrocephalus ex-vacuo defined
encephalomalacia defined
You are incorrect. The only working part of Terri's brain is the brain-stem.
She is brain-dead.
No need to spread propaganda. You can still get the fanatics riled-up with the truth.
Her frontal cortex seems to be in pretty decent shape.. there is definately damage to the back areas... but anyone that says she has no cognitive ability based on this scan, I think is a liar... I've seen scans of children with "water on the brain" who had far far less total brain matter that were perfectly normal.
This entire thing smells!
Terri Schiavo Can Still be Rehabilitated, Nobel Prize-Nominated Doctor Says
Clearwater, FL (LifeNews.com) -- Despite the contention of Terri Schiavo's estranged husband Michael and courts that have allowed him to starve her to death, a doctor nominated for the Nobel Prize says he believes medical therapies are still available that could help Terri party recover from her disabled state.
Dr. William Hammesfahr is an internationally recognized expert on cases of brain-injured patients. He has been identified in helping patients with chronic brain injuries from many causes actually leave long term disability, and return to work.
Terri Schiavo's injury, hypoxic encephalopathy, is a type of stroke that he treats every day with success.
"We, and others I know, have treated many patients worse than Terri and have seen them regain independence and dignity," Hammesfahr said.
"There are many approaches that would help Terri Schiavo," Dr. Hammesfahr explained. "I know, because I had the opportunity to personally examine her, her medical records, and her X-rays."
"It is time to help Terri, instead of just warehousing her," he added. "She would have benefited from treatment years ago, but it is not too late to start now."
This isn't the first time Hammesfahr has discussed Terri's plight.
Last year, he explained that, after examining Terri, he believed that she could eventually eat and drink on her own. He also said he believes Terri would be able to talk and have good use of one arm and one hand should be given proper rehabilitative treatment.
Hammesfahr also said he thought Terri would eventually be able to transfer herself from a wheelchair to a bed.
"The patient is not in a coma," concluded Hammesfahr said after observing Terri. "She responds to specific people best. She tries to please others by doing activities for which she gets verbal praise."
He says Terri's eyes clearly fixate on her family and she tries to follow the simple commands her parents give her.
"She looks at you, she can follow commands," Hammesfahr said.
Dr. Hammesfahr was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology in 1999.
Related web sites:
Terri Schiavo's parents - http://www.TerrisFight.org Hammesfahr Neurological Institute - http://www.hni-online.com
People who are PVS should NOT have any constitutional rights.
People with advanced Alzheimer's should not be given feeding tubes.
Fraud in the court and fraud in the hospice.
Five years ago this month, Florida’s most vulnerable adult was transferred without court order and without the proper written certification to the Hospice of Florida Suncoast at Woodside in Pinellas County.
LINK to rest of article.
It's ok. Judge Napolitano says she can't feel it because her brain has turned to liquid. And ED Hill said 16 specialists have examined her and all agreed there's no way out of her PVS. It's just reflexes and electrical impulses. That's why he would always go and grab the heel of the patient. That's not reflexes, I guess, that's conciousness, in the heel there. I don't understand that, but I suppose all the really smart people are in charge, so we're better off leaving it to them. After all, I'm not a doctor or a lawyer. Let the experts handle it. I'm going to have breakfast and go to work. I'm HUNGRY!
and why pray tell does it take so long to get this information out there for public consumption?
bump
It's NOT SPINAL FLUID...I can't believe these docs are saying that...they're either big fat liars or just poorly trained docs....
First of all, the University of Miami's appellation for this scan is inaccurate. "Cortical regions" are not and can not be filled with spinal fluid. The sulci (spaces between cortical ribbons) are enlarged secondary to cortical atrophy and these sulci are filled with cerbrospinal fluid.
