Cavernous Malformation of Spine Treatment in Turkey
About Cavernous Malformation of Spine
Key Highlights
-
Microsurgical precision minimizes damage to surrounding healthy spinal cord tissue.Primary goal is complete removal to eliminate the risk of future, potentially debilitating, hemorrhages.Can halt the progression of neurological symptoms like weakness, numbness, or pain.Utilizes advanced intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring to enhance safety during surgery.Offers a definitive treatment option for symptomatic lesions, improving long-term neurological outcomes.
Who is this surgery for?
- Progressive neurological deficits such as limb weakness, numbness, or loss of bowel/bladder control.
- Symptomatic hemorrhage from the cavernous malformation causing acute neurological decline.
- Intractable pain localized to the area of the spinal malformation.
- Recurrent episodes of minor bleeding (microhemorrhages) evidenced on MRI.
- Documented growth of the malformation on sequential imaging studies.
- Significant mass effect on the spinal cord, even in the absence of recent hemorrhage.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive neurological examination and detailed imaging, typically with contrast-enhanced MRI of the spine.
- Pre-operative assessment including blood tests, ECG, and chest X-ray to ensure fitness for surgery.
- Consultation with the neurosurgeon and anesthesiologist to discuss the procedure plan and risks.
- Discontinuation of blood-thinning medications (e.g., aspirin, warfarin) as advised by the doctor, usually 5-7 days prior.
- Fasting for 8-12 hours before the scheduled surgery time.
- Arranging for post-operative support and transportation for the recovery period.
Risks & possible complications
- Neurological injury potentially leading to worsened weakness, sensory loss, or paralysis.
- Bleeding (hematoma) at the surgical site requiring additional intervention.
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, which may necessitate further treatment.
- Infection of the surgical wound or, rarely, meningitis.
- Incomplete resection of the malformation, leaving a risk for future symptoms.
- Risks associated with general anesthesia and prolonged surgery.
- Spinal instability, potentially requiring a fusion procedure in the future.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial hospital stay for monitoring neurological status and managing pain.
- Mobilization with assistance begins gradually, often within 1-2 days post-surgery.
- Wound care instructions to keep the incision site clean and dry to prevent infection.
- Activity restrictions, including avoiding heavy lifting, bending, and twisting for several weeks.
- Physical therapy is commonly prescribed to regain strength, coordination, and mobility.
- Follow-up MRI scans are scheduled to confirm complete resection of the malformation.
- Gradual return to normal activities over several months, with ongoing neurological assessments.
-
Typical hospital stay:
5-10 days
-
Expected recovery time:
3-6 months for full functional recovery
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering cavernous malformation of spine in Turkey, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for cavernous malformation of spine in Turkey include Liv Hospital Ankara, Istinye Üniversitesi Hastanesi Liv, VM Medical Park Pendik Hastanesi, Medical Park Florya, Medical Park Bahçelievler, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform cavernous malformation of spine. MediFyr helps you compare spine surgeons and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for cavernous malformation of spine compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Cavernous Malformation of Spine in Turkey
These partner hospitals in Turkey have dedicated spine surgery teams and experience managing patients undergoing cavernous malformation of spine.
Instabul, Turkey
140 Doctors
Rahul Garcia, a 28-year-old high school...
Rahul Garcia, a 28-year-old high school biology teacher and avid rock climber, began experiencing a persistent, electric-shock-like pain down his right leg six months ago. Initially dismissing it as a climbing injury, the symptoms progressed to include episodes of numbness in his foot and a noticeable stumble in his gait. An MRI revealed a cavernous malformation in his thoracic spine. His neurosurgeon, Dr. Chen, explained that the tangle of abnormal blood vessels was leaking small amounts of blood, irritating the spinal cord nerves. Given the progression of his neurological symptoms, she recommended a minimally invasive laminectomy to remove the lesion before it caused permanent damage. Rahul was terrified at the thought of spine surgery, fearing he might never climb again. The surgery went smoothly, and after a night in the ICU, he began physical therapy. Recovery was challenging, with initial weakness and pain, but within three months, the shooting pain was gone and his strength returned. The emotional journey was profound; pre-surgery, he grappled with anxiety and a sense of losing his active identity. Post-recovery, he felt immense gratitude and a new perspective, returning to teaching with a patient empathy for his students and, cautiously, to the climbing wall.