US Boy's Life Saved After Mother's Google Search Uncovered Rare Brain Condition
A Texas mother's online search led to a life-saving diagnosis and surgery for her 6-year-old son, who was initially misdiagnosed with the flu but was later found to have a rare brain vascular condition.
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Casey Daniel expressed her fear that she might lose her son on that fateful day.
Lubbock, Texas: The life of a 6-year-old boy was saved thanks to his mother's resourcefulness and an internet search that helped physicians identify a rare brain condition initially misdiagnosed as influenza, according to the New York Post.
In April, Witten Daniel was hospitalized suffering from headaches and dizziness. Initially, medical professionals diagnosed him with the flu. However, within just 24 hours, Witten's condition deteriorated drastically - he lost his ability to walk and speak, could not breathe on his own, and eventually became unconscious, the NY Post reported.
After conducting additional tests, doctors discovered a rare cavernous malformation - an abnormal cluster of blood vessels that were leaking inside his brainstem. This condition triggered seizures and strokes, dramatically impacting the child's health. Medical experts cautioned that even if Witten survived, he might never walk again and would likely depend on a ventilator and feeding tube permanently.
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Committed to finding help for her son, Witten's mother Casey Daniel searched the internet late one night and discovered an article by Dr. Jacques Morcos, a neurosurgeon at UTHealth Houston who specialized in this rare condition. She reached out to Dr. Morcos, who recommended transferring Witten to their medical facility, according to The Post.
Following a four-hour emergency operation performed by Dr. Morcos alongside pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Manish Shah, Witten exhibited an extraordinary recovery. Within hours, he regained consciousness, resumed breathing independently, and began speaking again. Six weeks later, Witten returned home in time to celebrate his seventh birthday, started second grade, and received clearance to play baseball again.
Cavernous malformation affects approximately 1 in 500 individuals and involves fragile blood vessels in the brain or spine that can lead to seizures, hemorrhaging, and neurological complications. Prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention can be lifesaving and significantly improve patient outcomes.