May 4, 2007 3:25 pm US/Eastern
Leading Brain Injury Unit For Kids Right In Boston
by Lisa Hughes
(WBZ)
Brain injuries are the leading cause of death and disability in children. Every year about 7,400 kids die from brain injuries. That's more than three times the number who die from cancer. It's a frightening statistic. Families in Boston are fortunate to have a leader in childhood brain injuries right in their backyard.
Children's Hospital Boston is an innovator in the treatment and ongoing care of young people with brain injuries. They have made a life-saving difference in the lives of many families, including the Stratton family of Hamilton.
"I was playing basketball and I wanted to jump a little higher," recalls 15-year-old Dylan Stratton. So he got a recycling bin for a little extra lift. "I brought this out and jumped onto it and that's when the injury happened."
His head came right down on the pavement. That was last January.
After his accident, Dylan was rushed to Beverly Hospital.
His mother Ruth recalls that day like it was yesterday.
"One of the things they did was a CAT scan and the doctor came running out of the room and said, 'I didn't expect to see this, but he's got a cranial bleed, and I've already called the helicopter. You're going to Children's."
"I was very happy to hear that that was where we were going."
Dr. David Mooney is the director of the trauma program at Children's Hospital Boston. Holding up pictures of Dylan's CAT scan he pointed out a large round aneurysm in his brain.
"It's basically like a weak spot on a tire that's ready to pop," the doctor explained.
Surgeons threaded a tiny tube into Dylan's brain and applied a special adhesive.
"Almost like superglue," Mooney said. "Fill up the aneurysm with superglue and plug it up."
About 300 young people are admitted to Children's each year with brain injuries. The hospital is one of only a few that has a special clinic that can comprehensively care for a brain injured child. It includes neurologists, neuro surgeons, physical therapists, occupational therapists and rehab doctors.
"We focus our efforts on brain injuries because that's the worst problem that we see," Mooney said.
Ruth Stratton says when she looks at her son now, she knows he really did go to the right place.
"It just makes me really glad we live in Massachusetts, you know, this close to Boston and this close to the best care in the world."
Dylan says the first thing he wants to do when he's given a completely clear bill of health, is to play baseball.
As for slamming another basketball, "not with a recycling bin," he said.
A lot of children with the type of head injury Dylan sustained develop problems in later years, but in his case everything looks good, and his prognosis is excellent.
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their web site or call 617-355-6890.
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