Mason's MRI and surgery

  I try to remind myself this quote everyday^

Mason had his 4th brain MRI last Friday, and he did so great for it! He had no problem with the anesthesia and was back to his normal self within a couple of hours. He is getting pretty good at these MRI's. What a change from the first couple he had, and not to mention what a relief! We will find out the results on Thursday afternoon, and off of those results, his neurosurgeon, Dr. Louden, will decide if he thinks it is necessary for Mason to undergo brain surgery.

Mason also saw his endocrinologist(hormone specialist) recently, and we received a phone call a couple days ago where she informed us she would like to do more testing because one of his hormone levels is low. It is his cortisol, which is the stress hormone, and it contributes to many things the body does such as eating, sleeping, getting better when your sick. Sometime this month we will know more about that.

DR. BORCHERT'S STUDY for ONH: The World's Leading Researcher into this Condition

Science: Dr. Borchert’s Study

Dr. Mark Borchert, of the Department of Ophthalmology at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles [bio, PDF format], is seeking volunteer subjects for a ongoing research study designed to provide data about the factors involved in the formation of optic nerve hypoplasia prior to birth.
Current study project:

Optic Nerve Hypoplasia
Disease Distribution Survey
Childrens Hospital Los Angeles

This survey is being conducted by Mark Borchert, M.D. and Pamela Garcia-Filion, M.P.H.. If you have any questions regarding the survey, please contact them at (323) 669-2267 between 8am and 4pm, Monday through Friday. This study is approved by the Committee on Clinical Investigations (323) 669-2265.
Purpose: This survey is being used to gather information on how cases of optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH) are spread across the United States and to determine if there are unique distributions of this disease. Participation is available to families with a child diagnosed with ONH (or SOD) and is completely voluntary. This survey does not require that you identify yourself.

To Participate click here: http://www.chla.org/site/c.ipINKTOAJsG/b.3911313/k.CE3B/Survey.htm

DIRECTOR OF THE WORLD'S LARGEST STUDY INTO ONH

Mark Borchert, MD Associate Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology and Neurology Request an Appointment Doheny Eye Center, Los Angeles 1450 San Pablo Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033 (323) 442-6335 The Vision Center Childrens Hospital Los Angeles 4650 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90027 (323) 361-2347

Clinical Specialties Optic Nerve Hypoplasia Academic Degrees American Board of Ophthalmology American Academy, LACMA Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Residency Doheny Eye Institute, USC Department of Surgery, Ophthalmology, 1984 1987   Fellowships Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Neuro-Ophthalmology, 1984 - 1987 Board Certification American Board of Ophthalmology   Research Activities Dr. Mark S. Borchert directs the world’s largest study into optic nerve hypoplasia, now the single leading cause of blindness in infants in the United States and Europe. Another area of Dr. Borchert’s research is the development of better diagnostic and treatment tools, in particular the pioneering use of spectroscopy to measure glucose levels in the eye.

SOD/ONH: which is which?

Optic Nerve Hypoplasia, the under development of one or both Optic Nerves, was once considered rare but is now the leading cause of pediatric congenital vision loss in The United States of America. Septo Optic Dysplasia (formerly known as DeMorsier's Syndrome) has been described as an individual having Optic Nerve Hypoplasia, Endocrine dysfunction (for example: Growth Hormone Deficiency) and/or absence of the Septum Pellucidum.
Please see the webpages (particularly wikibooks) for more details on Optic Nerve Hypoplasia and Septo Optic Dysplasia.

Source(s):

http://www.sherylsgraphics.com/onh.html
http://www.childrenshospitalla.org/body.…
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Handbook_of…