Meeting with the Neurosurgeon

Today we met with the neurosurgeon. As expected, it was really just a consultation, but he did provide us with a lot of good information and took the time to answer all of our questions.

We learned that there are three possibilities as to what could be going on.
1. Hydrocephalus: Spinal fluid that the brain normally absorbs in cycles is not being absorbed and this prognosis would require a shunt.
2. Ventricular megaly: Again, ventricles that hold the spinal fluid in the brain are enlarged. The severity can vary along a spectrum and might not every require any kind of treatment.
3. I cannot remember the name of this one, but basically part of the brain did not form correctly and it is not a shunting issue, but kids typically experience disabilities.

The chances of it being #3 are low since one of the major symptoms is a smaller than usual head (which we know is not the case with our baby). While the neurosurgeon cannot completely rule it out yet, he really did not think this will be our diagnosis.

HOPEFULLY, at worst it will be a mild case of ventricular megaly which will need to be monitored periodically throughout her life to see if the ventricles enlarge too much in proportion to her head, but does not require any special treatment. While I still dread the very thought of a shunt, apparently kids with shunts can lead a normal existence (they cannot be astronauts or deep sea divers due to the valves in the shunt).

The good news is the neurosurgeon did say:

• Her head size is within the normal range. We were worried that it was outside the normal range (knowing her head is on the larger side).
• He does not need to be there during delivery~in other words, treatment of any kind does not need to be done immediately upon birth.
• He does not see any reason for her to be born early. In fact, he wants her to cook as long as possible for all the other health benefits.
• Her ventricles are larger, but not huge or scary.
• We can go with any pediatrician we are comfortable with and he gave us one recommendation.

He is also REALLY nice (I'll even forgive him for being a Dawg since one of his daughters might attend Auburn).

As for what will happen at birth, apparently the neonatologists will evaluate her at the hospital, might do a few ultrasounds and will determine the severity of the "problems." If need be, the neurosurgeon will come to the hospital to treat, but more likely, we will visit his office after the birth to have an MRI of her brain. Even after the MRI, we might not know immediately what (if any) treatment will be needed. If it is on the mild side, longitudinal data will be collected to help determine the course of action.

I have another NST this afternoon (oh yeah...they are just so much fun especially after the L&D incident). Three and a half weeks to go!

Please continue to pray for our little girl.