dreamcatcher put up a post about Dr. Kopinick in Dallas (over on the surgeon's board) which brings up a very good point.  I'd like to quote her post and my reply to this board for discussion..


dreamcatcher wrote on May 9^th, 2004 at 4:39pm:

He is a brilliant surgeon and he saved my life. However, he did not explain to me that I had Moya moya, simply that my left internal carotid was 100% occuludid (sp?) and I required the bypass surgery. It was sucessful then he sent me on my way and Iwas never told I would require follow up care. I am now having TIA'S again,and receiving follow up care at UCLA.

DJ wrote on May 9^th, 2004 at 8:30pm:

Thanks for your post dreamcatcher.  You bring up a great point... There is a definitive difference between a brilliant neurosurgeon and a moyamoya specialist! I honestly believe MOST neurosurgeons can do the STA-MCA or EDAS procedures with no problem... but there are only a few who specialize, and have experience in treating moyamoya (the disease).  There is a BIG difference!

Any thoughts?

D.J,
       Exactly I agree 100% with D.J. thats why I wish everyone could go to Dr. Steinberg although I know its not feizable (spelling) he is just so knowledgable about MM itself thats why he just came up with that stem cell study which is huge for stroke patients and does seminars around the country to educate other neurosurgeons and neurologist about this disease. I guess D.J. has a real good point  a good neurosurgeon should be able to do any type of brain surgery thats what they do. My daughter has just had an unbelievably good experience at Stanford as did D.J. and many others and my family felt that he was so knowledgable and that really makes you more relaxed and safer feeling when dealing with your child unexpectedly having to have surgery for such a devastating disease. Thank God D.J. pointed us in the right direction.
                        Nancy  

DJ - I agree as well.  And it's not just the surgeon that's important - it's his whole staff.  My neurologist, Dr. Liebeskind at Penn was very knowledgable, and he pointed me in the right direction - out of Philadelphia.  I think that was a great move for him as Philly lacks great neurosurgeons.  Anyway, my point about surgeon's whole staff is that everyone of the nurses that were taking care of me knew about moyamoya and what was normal post op and what wasn't.  I give props to all of the nurses and doctor's who worked with Dr. Scott.  

-Shari