brain metastases leptomeningeal

[evlin75]

Hi Rolepaul,
I assumed since her ventricles collapsed there was a total new procedure using the spine instead of the hairline brain space.
There are possible neurological accidents can happen using the other side of the brain to reinstall the ommaya I have been told.
The spine space they have been using on my daughter has become bruised and we are looking to try for a new IT insertion space or device. She became very ill with constant vomiting and had to be hospitalized after the last IT spinal insertion of the herceptin and topotecan.
We skipped a treatment and now need to evaluate how to go forward.
Thanks, Ev

[fpeter]

It was done at NYU Langone (Dr Parker). The Ommaya procedure also was done there.

[evlin75]

So did he place it on the oposite side of the head or somewhere on the spine?
Thanks for your info,

Ev

[fpeter]

The second ommaya was placed in the lumbar spine. The full name is neurosurgeon Doctor Erik Parker. Sorry i should have mentioned it right away.

[evlin75]

Thank you!!! I really appreciate the information. I wonder if Eric Parker is the only doctor doing this or if we could get someone to do this in our area. The daughter lives in Florida. She gets her IV herceptin and perjeta at Deerfield Beach and the IT at MD Anderson in Orlando.
She is so weak right now I would like somewhere more local if possible.
But thanks much! I am so glad there is another option.
Best wishes to you and yours.

Ev

[fpeter]

If I understood correctly, placing an ommayya at the lumbar spine is a means to facilitate lumbar puncture. I imagine that this procedure (of placing an ommayya reservoir at the lumbar spine) is done elsewhere in a variety of cases where lumbar puncture is necessary and I think it is worth asking doctors closer to where you live. If you need any other information, please let me know. Thanks for your best wishes, I send you and your daughter our best wishes.
Frank

[Rolepaul]

Maybe a lumbar puncture until the Ommaya reservoir can be used.

[evlin75]

Lumbar punctures have been done since the abscessed Ommaya was removed. However the area is getting painful. Part of the problem, I believe, is the neurologist was training a new doctor on this procedure and she got poked many times each week while the doctor was learning.
She became so sick the last treatment that she vomited a full week and had to be put on IV fluids. It is hard to know the exact cause, but the area was extremely painful - with Dilauded required.
But yes, we have been taking her for the punctures, but then had to skip a treatment due to the bad reaction the last time. She is due for the next treatment in a couple days.
Thanks,
Ev