Neurosurgeons in Europe?

[ytkanos]

Hello,

I am 50 years old.
I have been diagnosed a suspected intradural myxopapillary ependymoma at L4-L5 (MRI scans).
Of course the pathology can only be confirmed once removed...
In addition it seems I have some degree of bone degeneration at L4-L5 which means some form of spinal stabilisation may be required too.

My NS gives me a good degree of confidence, although he has been unspecific as to how many spinal tumours he has removed in his experience (approx. 30 years).

I am looking for a second opinion on the procedure itself.

Has anyone had experience with a good NS in Europe they are willing to share?

many thanks to all
costa

[Ed]

Dear Costa,

I am sorry to hear about your condition. I too have t5-6 tumor and disk degeneration at L3,4,5

I would recommend Dr. Kothbauer who I consulted last summer. He and Dr. Jallo worked with Dr. Fred Epstein. I will also be consulting Dr. Francisco Sala ([e-mail]) in Italy. Dr. Kothbauer recommended him to get a second opinion. Here is a link to the organization www.neurophysiology.org/board_members

Karl F. Kothbauer, M. D.
Chief, Division of Neurosurgery
Luzerner Kantonsspital
General and Pediatric Neurosurgery
Associate Professor, University of Basel

CH-6000 Luzern
Switzerland

Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
www.luks.ch

Best of luck,
Ed

[den2538]

hi there my partner has been for an mri because of loss of strength/feeling in his left hand side of his body here is his diagnosis can you explain it please MRI Spine Lumbar/Sacarl :
Straightening of the lumbar spine with multilevel degenerative disease . Minor retrolisthesis of L5 on S1 At L1 / 2 there is a minor posterior disc bulge indenting thecal sac only.Fatty endplate change of L1 superiorly. At L2 / 3 there is a posterior disc bulge with more focal right sided protrusion withsome inferior migration of disc material. This has been incompletely assessed with no axial images available for review.This is probably causing some degree of lateral recess narrowing. At L3/ 4 the disc is dehydrated and has lost hight with a posterior disc bulge, this along with some ligamentum flavum hypertrophy is narrowing the lateral recesses, more so on the right where the L4 nerve root is in contact with the disc.
At L4 / 5 there is almost complete loss of disc height with degenerative fatty endplate changes. both of the lateral recesses are compressed, more so on the left,this is due to both the posterior disc bulge and the posterior osteophyte formation from the L4 endplate. both L5 nerveroots are contacted,with more severe change on the left .fluid in the right facet joint at this level.At L5 / S1 the disc is dehydrated and has loss height with a posterior disc bulge and left sided annular tear. there is no neural compression in the lateral recesse,but both of the exit foramian at this level are mildly narrowed due to the osteophyte formation, and retrolisthesis as well as a contribution form the disc. fat is still seen around the nerve roots however
haemangioma of T12,L1,L3, and L4
No marrow replacement.
Tarlov cyst of S2
No AAA or retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy
conclusion:
symptoms may be explained by the finding at L4 / 5 with compression of the L5 nerve root. multileavel degenerative change.
A neurosurgical opinion may be helpful we have a neurosurgeon in the ne of england called MR TIZZARD who is very good