Patient Develops Paralysis Following Brain Surgery
This case involves a 62-year-old female patient who developed left-side paralysis following a thalamotomy.
The patient underwent a gamma knife thalamotomy for a longstanding essential tremor. She later developed left-side paralysis and was unresponsive to therapy and hyperbaric treatment. The patient continued to suffer from weakness and lack of control on the left side of her body and was unable to return to work.
Question(s) For Expert Witness
Please describe your background performing gamma knife thalamotomies.
What complications can occur when performing this procedure?
Expert Witness Response E-000572
Although I have performed 1,000+ gamma knife procedures, gamma knife thalamotomies are not very commonly performed. We tend to perform deep brain stimulation or stereotactic lesions since they have been found to be more advantageous. However, occasionally, patients are felt to not be good candidates for the other procedures and undergo gamma knife radiosurgery thalamotomy. Contralateral weakness is a known risk for all these procedures. This case will hinge on whether or not there were reasons why the patient needed to undergo gamma knife and avoid an open operation for DBS or stereotactic thalamotomy. Any information indicating whether the technique used as a violation of the standard of care will also be helpful.
About the author
Wendy Ketner, M.D.
Dr. Wendy Ketner is a distinguished medical professional with a comprehensive background in surgery and medical research. Currently serving as the Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs at the Expert Institute, she plays a pivotal role in overseeing the organization's most important client relationships. Dr. Ketner's extensive surgical training was completed at Mount Sinai Beth Israel, where she gained hands-on experience in various general surgery procedures, including hernia repairs, cholecystectomies, appendectomies, mastectomies for breast cancer, breast reconstruction, surgical oncology, vascular surgery, and colorectal surgery. She also provided care in the surgical intensive care unit.
Her research interests have focused on post-mastectomy reconstruction and the surgical treatment of gastric cancer, including co-authoring a textbook chapter on the subject. Additionally, she has contributed to research on the percutaneous delivery of stem cells following myocardial infarction.
Dr. Ketner's educational background includes a Bachelor's degree from Yale University in Latin American Studies and a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from SUNY Downstate College of Medicine. Moreover, she is a member of the Board of Advisors for Opollo Technologies, a fintech healthcare AI company, contributing her medical expertise to enhance healthcare technology solutions. Her role at Expert Institute involves leveraging her medical knowledge to provide insights into legal cases, underscoring her unique blend of medical and legal acumen.
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