Mar 3, 2009 9:18 am US/Pacific
Glue Helps Patient Survive Brain Aneurysm
Doctors Used Liquid Onyx To Patch Up A Potentially Lethal Aneurysm
LOS ANGELES (CBS) ―
Beverly Russell's pictures tell the story of what she has to live for, her two kids and her 80 year old mother. Still, two years ago she was told she had a
brain aneurysm behind her eye. A bulge in her blood vessel that could burst and instantly kill her.
Brain aneurysm specialist
Dr. Satoshi Tateshima of Ronald Reagan/UCLA Medical Center says three surgeries later- the aneurysm doubled in size. Coils used to fill the bulge and a stent to strengthen the artery walls weren't enough. So, he used a new
FDA approved liquid glue to fill Russell's odd shaped aneurysm - it's called liquid onyx. The glue becomes solid. Blood doesn't enter the aneurysm and put pressure on weakened walls and burst. The glue is put in by putting a tube from her groin all the way up into the aneurysm.
When Beverly Russell first came in her aneurysm was about a half inch in size but by her 4th surgery, it was the size of a strawberry. After the surgery, it was filled with liquid glue and her doctor says she has nothing to fear and believes she is cured.
Never did Beverly Russell imagine the solution for her life threatening condition would come from a glue. She wants to wait 3 months for more tests to be sure, but is hopeful this is the last surgery she'll ever need.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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