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Teen Back in the Game After Brain Surgery
Under the care of a top neurosurgeon, teenager Jeffrey Koscal, Jr. avoided the penalty box and made his recovery goal.
Imagine finding out your 17-year-old
child has a birth defect. That’s exactly
what the Koscals of Brick experienced
when their son Jeffrey began losing feeling
in his arm, including the ability to sense
hot or cold. "We thought it was a sports
injury, because Jeffrey is an avid hockey
player — both roller and ice hockey,"
remembers Jeffrey Koscal, Sr.
So, the Koscals took Jeffrey to their family
doctor, John Gumina, M.D., chair of
the Department of Family Practice at Jersey
Shore University Medical Center. "We’d
been seeing Dr. Gumina for years and,
as always, he was great," states Jeffrey, Sr.
"He thought it could be a pinched nerve,
but sent Jeffrey for an MRI to check."
A Special Problem Needs Specialist Care
As it turned out, Jeffrey wasn’t suffering
from a sports injury or a pinched nerve.
The MRI showed that Jeffrey had a
condition called Chiari Malformation,
a structural defect in the cerebellum, the
part of the brain that controls balance.
That’s when Dr. Gumina recommended
a specialist: Bruce Rosenblum, M.D.,
section chief of Neurosurgery and
surgical director of the CyberKnife
Center at Riverview Medical Center.
"With this condition, the cerebellum
displaced downward so that part of the
brain is actually compressing the spinal
cord," explains Dr. Rosenblum. "As a
result, the flow of cerebrospinal fluid can
be blocked, causing a cavity to develop in
the spinal cord and a variety of symptoms including dizziness,
muscle weakness,
vision problems,
headache, and
problems with balance
and coordination,
or in Jeffrey’s
case numbness."
While Chiari
Malformation is a
defect present from
birth, symptoms
usually do not
occur in most
people until later in
life. Luckily, the
condition is treatable.
In Jeffrey’s
case, Dr. Rosenblum
recommended
surgery to prevent
an increase of
symptoms.
Thorough Care From Start to Finish
For Jeffrey Jr., the
prospect of surgery
was a bit overwhelming,
but Dr. Rosenblum put his
mind at ease. "I went in with a book
of 30 questions," says Jeffrey. "And
Dr. Rosenblum took his time and
answered every single question —
that really helped."
The Koscal family went to Riverview
Medical Center for the surgery, where Dr. Rosenblum surgically reconstructed the
space available for Jeffrey’s cerebellum and
spinal cord, creating a better environment
for these delicate nervous system structures.
It was a nerve-wracking time for the
family, but it could not have gone more
smoothly. "The nurses were awesome
and the anesthesiologist really put Jeffrey at ease," explains Jeffrey, Sr. "and
Dr. Rosenblum was terrific."
The Koscals were impressed by the
level of attention Dr. Rosenblum provided
pre- and postsurgery. "The doctor came to
see us right after the surgery and spent 20
minutes talking to us," continues Jeffrey,
Sr. "He also spent a lot of time with Jeffrey.
He told us ‘Whatever I start, I finish,’ and
he really did see Jeffrey through every step
of the way."
Recovery from the surgery took a few
weeks. "I had to wear a soft neck collar
for about four weeks," Jeffery, Jr. recalls. "But I was able to go back to school pretty
quickly. Dr. Rosenblum gave us
instructions and notes for the school,
explaining that I needed to leave each
class a little early and that I needed a
second set of books for home use. It
really worked out great."
Three months after the surgery, Jeffrey,
Jr. was back to being a regular 17-year-old
— driving to his summer job at the boardwalk.
"Everything is back to normal," says
Jeffrey. "I feel really good!" Next on the
agenda? Getting back to the hockey rink,
of course!
 – Tria Deibert
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Symptoms of brain or spinal problems
that result from major accidents, such as
car crashes, happen quickly. But many
brain or spinal disorders aren’t so obvious.
Symptoms may appear slowly or build
over time, making it hard for you to realize
what’s wrong.
That’s why it’s important to see a neurosurgeon
if you have any of the following
warning signs:
- Head, neck, or back pain that just won’t go away
- Headaches that are longer-lasting, more frequent, or more intense
- Nausea or vomiting
- Changes in vision or hearing, such as blurred vision or ringing in the ears
- Difficulty speaking, thinking or remembering
- Sleeping more often, or having trouble falling asleep
- Muscle weakness or spasms or loss of control of a body part
- Trouble walking or dizziness
- Loss of taste, smell, or feeling
- Changes in or problems with bowel or bladder habits
- Intense chronic pain with no other known cause
The Spine Center at Riverview Medical Center offers a specialized approach
to spine care by bringing together a team of trained specialists to provide a
full continuum of care. Call 732-530-2242 or visit RiverviewMedicalCenter.com
to find out more.
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