Hi, I just had my second opinion and this doctor told me that it needs to be clipped. He stated because the neck is so wide, it will require a stint for sure and with my young age it may cause clots/stroke. He stated that the procedure would take three hours and the scar that will run from my eye to temple would be in my hair so that it would not be visable. The recovery would be 24 hrs in ICU and then 3-5 days in the hospital. Once home I would be on rest for two weeks and then I can return to work. The risks include bleeding out and blindness. He gives me a less than 3% chance for those risks.

It is nerve racking and of course since we have two differing opinions, we will be seeking a third opinion. I do feel very comfortable with this doctor as he is well known and has lots of experience. He works out of Northwestern. Our third opinion will be with a doctor from Evanston.

Will let you know in a couple of weeks what my decision ends up being but I am leaning towards the clipping.

sorry it took me so long to get back to ya,things have been a bit wierd for me lately(whats new about that?lol)sooo clipping is now your only option?the thing is onyx,the clot crap just comes along with the territory for any surgery its just a bit higher risk considering where you will be having the surgery thats all.but you WILL be 'blood thinnered to death'.i agree you DO most definitely need that third opinion.i too needed that 'tiebreaker' opinion re my cavernoma.it never hurts to have too much info when dealing with this type of possibly life altering crap we are dealing with.are YOU comfortable with the clipping?

so basically(from what i am seeing)you were told that it was coilable by the neurorad but not coilable by a neurosurgeon and he feels that the clipping is realistically your only option at this point?let me know if i am taking this the wrong way.alot will depend on just what your third opinion says and who you actually see for it.is it going to be NS or neurorad?these 'lesser of two evils' decisions as you know,just suck,suck suck.if you could answer some of the questions i asked it would help hon.i do wish you luck with the next opinion.PLEASE keep me posted ans i proise i will amswer you back much more quickly,really.my hands are not behaving themselves lately and it is really pissing me off.take care and let me know.hang in there onyx,marcia

One thing I forgot to mention is that the neuro has an intreventional rad in his group. So either way...he would get the $$. Also, he came recommended to me by a co-worker who is not being operated on. So I know he isn't quick to cut. The neuro stated that it is coilable but would require a stint and long term studies show that these cause clots which may result in stroke 20 years down the road. With me only being 34, my age plays into why he is pushing towards clipping. The third opinion is with another neuro who has a intrevent rad in his group. I will let you know the appointment is set for June 4th. Thanks for responding. Take care of yourself.

Yea,i don't know too much about the stints.i am sure he is right tho,anytime you have a "something' within the actual bloodflow routes,there IS that much higher risk of clotting.it just comes with that territory too.my mom had to have a stint placed in her artery within the shoulder area and she has since then and will continue to be on a much higher blood thinner than i am.it does sound tho that at least your aneurysm is a accessable one?i think clipping for your particular aneurysm would in the long run be a much safer and secure way of actually treating it.its just the thought of brain surgery ya know?i am SURE that is really the biggest worry on your mind at this point?it really is amazing in just what a good brain surgeon can do for you.what have they told you about the possible surgical outcomes with this?what very real risks to your brain are you having to consider here or don't you know the full skinny on that yet?just keep a pen and paper out somewhere where you can go right to it whenever you think of a great question,then write it down immediately.if your anything like me,all the good questions i had if they were not written down as soon as they popped in,i forgot them.i actually ended up with three full pages of questions for my NS when i was contemplating the cav surgery.just a very helpful suggestion for you onyx.

good luck hon,and as usual,keep me posted.Marcia