Brain Awareness Week members’ events 2010
Cavernoma Alliance UK lectures
Cavernoma Alliance UK is for the 1 in 600 people who have an asymptomatic cavernoma and develop symptoms. The charity is also for those with symptoms who have been diagnosed as having a cavernoma. This condition is a cluster of abnormal blood vessels in the brain or spinal cord. Cavernomas can cause haemorrhages, seizures, headaches, and significant/permanent neurological deficits namely imbalance, slurred speech, double vision and tremor.
The charity ran two events during Brain Awareness Week 2010(15-21 March);
16 March 2010, Neurosupport, Norton Street, Liverpool
An excellent talk on cavernomas by Mr. Javadpour, consultant neurosurgeon at the Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery, was the focus of the evening event. The Walton Centre is an NHS Trust that specialises in Neurology and Neurosurgery.
The results of this meeting were three-fold:
- An agreement that, subject to Cavernoma Alliance UK board’s approval, Mr. Javadpour would speak at the 2011 International Cavernoma Alliance UK Forum, Saturday 4 June 2011;
- Answering of members’ questions; and
- With thanks to Tony Murphy of the Patient Advisory and Liason Service at The Walton Centre, assistance in establishing a permanent home for Cavernoma Alliance UK in the North West.
Eighteen people, including members’ and other interested parties, came for the event in Liverpool.
20 March 2010, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London
Mr. Andrew McEvoy, consultant neurosurgeon, specialising in epilepsy spoke at this event and was introduced by a patient of his who underwent awake craniotomy for cavernoma removal in November 2009. Mr. McEvoy’s lecture focused on Awake Craniotomy and how cavernomas are one of the contributing factors of this condition. Mr McEvoy also showed some of his patient’s operation filmed for the BBC last year.
Forty people came to this meeting held in the Hospital’s Old Boardroom. The talk also included a discussion of the very latest technology available at the Hospital.