Endoscopic Resection of Colloid Cyst Brain Tumor

Neurosciences

On August 29, 2008, I was playing a pick-up game of touch football that turned into tackle football with my baseball teammates. I went down to get the ball when a teammate's knee slammed into my ear. The impact knocked me down and my face hit the ground, resulting in a concussion. When I came to after the accident, I was bleeding from the lip and the ear. My friends took me to Emory Eastside's Emergency Room.

The Emory ER doctor ordered a CT scan. They sewed up my ear and stitched my lip, but the scan revealed a blockage on the left side of my brain. This was caused by a cyst deep within my brain. The Emory ER doctor consulted with the Emory University Hospital Neuro team about my scan, and they recommended removing it immediately. I had just turned 18 and my first big decision would be the hardest in my life - to schedule brain surgery. My parents and I were shocked and in disbelief. We were scared and wanted answers to so many questions. The ER doctor referred me to Dr. Costas Hadjipanayis (Dr. H) at Emory.

On September 15, 2008, Dr. H performed an endoscopic resection for the removal of my colloid cyst. It was remarkable that they were able to remove a cyst from my brain with a small incision using a scope. There is no doubt that this surgery is amazing when you compare it to other options available. Everyone at Emory was helpful and professional. Dr. H and his team were great from the very start.

Today, everything is good. The cyst was removed. I was able to finish my senior year and continue playing baseball pitching for the varsity team. My quality of life is just as good as it was before but I now have a different perspective on things. Being an 18-year-old athlete, I was and still am very active. I'll be playing college baseball this fall.

To hear brain surgery, you automatically think the worst and it is scary for everyone. In reality, it is nothing like you expect. The hardest thing was making the decision to do it. I was back at school after two weeks and pitching again in six weeks. The scar on my head is small and hardly noticeable. I only had a short period of temporary memory loss. My advice is to stay positive and believe in Dr. H. My experience with Dr. H and his team was very special and I will definitely recommend Dr. H. and Emory to anyone who may be going through the same situation.

Cameron Hall, 18, Lawrenceville, Georgia
Brookwood High School Senior