Imagine your child suddenly loses his ability to speak, followed by breathing. This is exactly what happened to Texas boy, six-year-old, Daniel . The doctors first treated Daniel for flu, but his condition rapidly deteriorated into a severe medical emergency. Eventually, Daniel's mother used Google to discover vital medical assistance that proved to be his life-saving intervention, according to the New York Post. Let's learn about Daniel's journey... (Image courtesy: Casey Daniel's IG)

Initially brushed off as flu
In Texas, six-year-old Daniel was presented with symptoms of dizziness and headache. Doctors first suspected Daniel had the flu, because this condition normally resolves through rest. However, Daniel's health status deteriorated at an alarming rate, during the first 24 hours of his hospital stay. The patient lost his ability to speak, walk and breathe independently, before becoming unconscious.


Family in shock
The unexpected health decline shocked Daniel's family members, because they understood his condition required urgent medical attention, beyond typical viral infections. The initial diagnosis prevented doctors from identifying the actual issue, because rare brain disorders frequently present with symptoms that resemble typical viral infections.

The big reveal
Eventually, medical tests revealed Daniel suffered from an uncommon brain disorder known as Cavernous Malformation , or Cavernoma. In this condition, the brain contains abnormal blood vessel clusters, which sometimes bleed or cause hemorrhages. The brain experiences increased pressure from bleeding, which results in seizures, headaches, vision problems and muscle weakness.

Some symptoms of Cavernoma (Cerebral Cavernous Malformations) are

Seizures

• The brain experiences sudden uncontrolled electrical disturbances known as seizures, because of Cavernomas. The brain experiences abnormal electrical activity, which results in convulsions and unusual body movements and loss of consciousness. The brain's outer regions experience the most frequent symptoms of seizures when cavernomas develop.

Headaches

• The majority of people who have cavernomas develop headaches which range from light to intense in severity. The malformation creates pressure on surrounding brain tissue, which leads to small bleeds that result in headaches.

Weakness or numbness

• The location of cavernomas determines whether they cause weakness or numbness, which primarily affects the arms or legs. The malformation creates pressure, that affects specific brain or spinal cord regions which handle movement and sensation functions.

Vision or balance problems

• People who have cavernomas often develop double vision and experience dizziness, coordination and balance problems. The brain areas which manage these functions become affected by pressure or bleeding from cavernomas.

Speech and memory difficulties

• The presence of cavernomas leads to speech problems which result in slurred or slow speech (dysarthria), memory and attention deficits. The brain areas that manage these skills become affected by bleeding or pressure, which leads to these symptoms.

Rare occurrence
The occurrence of cavernomas affects 0.2 percent of the population, yet most people with this condition remain symptom-free. People who show symptoms from this condition need immediate medical intervention, because the condition poses a threat to their survival. Genes contributes to 20% of cavernoma cases, because it can pass through family lines.


A mother’s determination
The doctors informed Daniel's mother, Casey Daniel, that his condition will most probably be fatal. The frantic mother spent her late-night hours searching for medical information and treatment options through Google, because she refused to lose hope. The search results directed her to Dr. Jacques Morcos , who operates as a specialist neurosurgeon in UTHealth Houston , for treating cavernomas.

She immediately sent Dr. Morcos all of Daniel's medical pictures, together with his complete medical background. Dr. Morcos responded immediately with positive news about performing surgery to treat Daniel's condition. The contact established a pathway for Daniel to move to a specialised medical facility, which provided him with the advanced treatment he required.

Life-Saving Surgery
According to NY post, the medical team consisting of Dr. Manish Shah and Dr. Jacques Morcos, treated Daniel at their Houston Texas facility, after his transfer from his home state. The surgical team conducted a four-hour operation to extract the brainstem blood vessel cluster, which caused the bleeding.

The medical team succeeded in their operation which resulted in saving Daniel's life. The case demonstrates why patients need to receive their diagnosis early, and seek help from experts who specialise in treating rare medical conditions.

Disclaimer: This article is informational only and not a substitute for medical advice