Mark Strand, 68, knew something was wrong when he showed up for testing.
“I had daily fevers and mild fevers,” Strand said. “And the PET scan finally revealed a mass on top of my head.”
Fortunately, the brain tumor was benign, but he had to have surgery to remove it.
The married father of three from Nokesville, Virginia, was among the first in our area to undergo brain surgery at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital’s new state-of-the-art Verstandig Pavilion.
“This is currently the most technologically advanced operating room in the world,” said Dr. Christopher Kalhorn, the neurosurgeon who led the operation.
Unlike other operating rooms, MedStar is equipped with a mobile MRI system that slides on a rail.
“We can bring the MRI machine directly to the patient and verify that we have achieved our surgical goals in terms of complete tumor resection,” Kalhorn said.
Technology allows doctors to leave the operating room with more confidence about the procedure.
The technology can also be used in other ways, Kalhorn said.
“We use this intraoperative MRI to treat patients with movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor and dystonia,” Kalhorn said.
As for Strand, several months after the delicate operation, only a small scar remains from the ordeal.
Strand said he was left with little scarring and his recovery was “smooth” and “very quick.”
“The very idea of brain surgery is terrifying. And so the idea that they could then take you and fix it right away, and then a month later you can move on with your life,” he said. “Actually, two months later we’re went to Italy for my nephew’s work. marriage.”
Strand feels good and doctors say he doesn’t need any further treatment.
Kalhorn is one of many people who contributed to the design of the Verstandig Pavilion. He said new technology in operating rooms also allows them to zoom in on other surgeons during surgery and consult with them in real time.
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