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Focal Cortical Dysplasia

Fri, 07/28/2006 - 11:11
Hello all: I have a strange situation, or rather my 13 year old son has a strange situation. Last year we (he and I) contracted some virus or Lyme Disease. During that time we both were sent for MRI's. Mine came back abnormal for archnoid cyst. His report came back for archanoid cyst, and Taylor Type Focal Cortical Dysplasia. He has never had a seizure but we were told he could develop them later in life or maybe he wont. He is a very athletic child who is involved in Karate, Basketball, Wrestling, above average intelligence and enrolled in honors classes, he is also very artistic and plays the guitar. Ever since I heard this I am a nervous wreck. I asked the neurologist his changes of developing seizures he said 10% chance he may but there is a 90% chance he wont. From what I hear seizures from this type of an abnormality usually start early in life. I feel I am being overly protective, worried about his future, getting injured, driving etc. I feel like I am waiting for a bomb to explode. We discussed how I feel and he wants me to relax stating that if it happened it would be awful but we would just have to deal with it. Is there anyone who has experience with FCD or my type of situation. I just can't shake my worry over this. I do not want to hover I want him to grow up as normal as possible but this is making me crazy.

Comments

Re: Focal Cortical Dysplasia

Submitted by oldakasha on Fri, 2006-07-28 - 14:25
My daughter has Cortical Dysplasia Type II B(with balloon cells) and she has severe epilepsy. She started having seizures at 7 months old and is now almost 2. Her seizures have not been controlled by medications very well at all which from my understanding is quiet normal with Cortical Dysplasia. All it means is at some point during your wifes pregnancy cells did'nt migrate properly in your sons brain which creates a lession that can cause a focal point for Epilepsy. Im not sure if your son will ever have a seizure but on the otherhand feel fortunate that he hasnt yet and that his brain is fully developed my daughter development is behind due to the large number of seizures that she has but they have told us if they can get her seizure free for long enough she will catch up. Hope this helps a little

Re: Re: Focal Cortical Dysplasia

Submitted by LM on Fri, 2006-07-28 - 15:06
Oldakasha: Thanks so much for your reply. Did they tell you seizures normally happen at a young age? Also, I read that sometimes surgery is promising in FCD. Would surgery be an option to you? I hope you can get the seizures controlled for your daughter. We live near NYC and Columbia Presbyterian Hospital is supposed to be great with the brain also there is the Cleveland Hospital in Ohio. Good Luck to you, my prayers are with you and your daughter. Hopefully down the road they will be able to control epilepsy better in FCD.

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