Dr. Ziya Gokazlan, Johns Hopkins - Baltimore, MD

[Oscar Medina]

Intramedullary Ependymoma C-4 to C-7. Measured: 3x1x1 cm. Deficits before surgery: None Symptoms: burning sensation from shoulders down to my fingers. Pain episodes on my neck and between my shoulder blades. Sometimes unbearable pain. Initially, the episode would come every year (without the burning sensation), later, every six months and just before surgery, every three months. Pain would leave me after about three weeks. Sometimes I could get back to feeling completely normal until the last episode which showed up with burning. I chose Dr. Gokazlan because he specializes in spinal cord tumor resection and his vast experience.The tumor was found on December 22, 2004 and surgery was done on March 29th, 2005 at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland USA. The results post op: I had the tumor completely removed. It was benign. He did a laminectomy and laminoplasty and used two types of monitoring during surgery, MEP and SEP (Motor Evoked Potential and Sensory Evoked Potential). He used 10 plates and 10 screws (no fusion). I've recovered about 75% of the range of motion in my neck. I had movement on my arms and legs just 2 hours after surgery. I only needed 1 week of intensive rehab. It was followed by about six months of rehab back at home. I have minimal pain only in the inside part of my arms as a result of very minimal damage to the T-1 nerve root as the electromyography showed. I don't have any motor deficits or handicaps, but my sensory function has been affected from my chest to my toes. I don't have any problems with bowel movement or urinary. Pain as I knew it before surgery has never returned. MRI follow ups show no tumor recurrence. Plates and screwshave had no movement, as shown by the X-Rays. Rehab has been good. I continue to improve, but still have more therapy ahead to build stamina, strength and stability. Dr. Gokazlan's profile:Dr. Ziya Gokaslan is the Donlin M. Long Professor, Professor of Neurosurgery, Oncology and Orthopaedic Surgery, Director of the Neurosurgery Spine Service, and a Vice-Chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery. His practice specializes in the surgical treatment of spinal tumors. He is internationally recognized as an innovative surgeon and clinical investigator. He has developed numerous novel surgical methods to treat some of the most difficult types of spinal cancers. Dr. Gokaslan's research is focused on the development of an animal model for studying the pathophysiology of neoplastic spinal cord compression and defining the roles of proteolytic enzymes in tumor invasion. He also participates as a collaborator in many multidisciplinary research protocols and is currently the principle investigator of the ongoing prospective outcome study entitled "Spinal Reconstruction Using Synthes Spine Synex System following Corpectomy/Vertebrectomy in Tumor Patients".Dr. Gokaslan conducts a Neurosurgical clinic at the Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center on Mondays from 8:30 AM to 12:00 noon, and at Greenspring Station on Wednesdays from 8:30 AM to 12:00 noon.Appointments may be scheduled by calling his secretary Christine Drinks at 410-955-4424.EDUCATION & TRAINING1983, M.D., University of Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey1984-85, Post-doctoral Clinical Research, Department of Psychiatry, Sleep Disorder and ResearchCenter, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX1985-86, Intern, General Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX1986-88, Fellow, Neurotraumatology, Department of Neurosurgery,Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX1988-93, Resident, Neurological Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX1993-94, Fellow, Clinical Spinal Surgery, Department of Orthopedics/Neurosurgery, New YorkUniversity Medical Center, New York, NYCURRENT APPOINTMENTSProfessor of Neurosurgery, Oncology, and Orthopedic Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MDDirector, Spine Surgery, Department of Neurosurgery, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MDActive Staff, The Johns Hopkins Hospital and the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, MDHONORS & AWARDS1983 Valedictorian, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, University of Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey1983, Honor List, Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey1987 Recipient of The Congress of Neurological Surgeons Resident Trauma Research Award1993 Congress of Neurological Surgeons AME Spine Fellowship Award1999 Best Doctors in America1999 Fellow of American College of SurgeonsCURRENT ADDRESSThe Johns Hopkins HospitalDepartment of Neurology, Meyer 7-109600 N. Wolfe StreetBaltimore, MD 21287Phone: [phone]Fax: [phone]