Diagnosed With Rare Disorder, US Girl Has Half Brain Switched Off

A 6-year-old girl suffering from a rare neurological ailment recently underwent a surgical procedure in Los Angeles, United States, that involved the disconnection of half of her brain.

Young Girl's Rare Condition

Brianna Bodley received a diagnosis of Rasmussen's encephalitis, a condition characterised by chronic brain inflammation that can result in lasting brain damage and the deterioration of motor skills, in August 2022. She is currently in the process of recuperating from the functional hemispherectomy surgery that took place on September 28.

The little girl was struggling with daily seizures caused by the rare disorder. However, a lengthy 10-hour surgery may have provided a solution to combat this condition. "Her leg would consistently bend upward, causing difficulties in her ability to walk," explained Crystal Bodley, the girl's mother.

As reported by The New York Post, upon starting her treatment with anti-seizure medications and steroids, Brianna experienced rapid weight gain and the relentless advancement of the disease.

Her sister, Torie Bodley, shared, "There were times when she would talk to me and express her fear, but I reassured her, saying, 'I understand it's frightening, but you will ultimately be fine.'"

The Surgery

The 6-year-old was admitted to the hospital twice in a span of a month due to experiencing multiple seizures during the night.

As various medications failed to halt the seizures, which had caused harm to Brianna's brain, medical experts recommended the functional hemispherectomy procedure. This surgical intervention involves disconnecting the brain's hemispheres from each other and is considered the sole remedy for seizures induced by Rasmussen's encephalitis.

Medics opted to deactivate the non-operational section of her brain by accessing it through the brain's natural opening known as the Sylvian fissure.

Pediatric neurosurgeon Dr Aaron Robison from Loma Linda University Health dedicated 10 hours of meticulous care to perform the intricate procedure of disconnecting half of Brianna's brain.

The Aftereffects

The left side of Brianna's brain is still operational and is now assuming the responsibilities that were previously handled by the right side. Medical professionals have indicated that she may experience a partial loss of peripheral vision and some minor motor skills in her left hand.

However, with the assistance of physical therapy, she will gradually regain her normal abilities and resume her activities as a 6-year-old.

While Brianna might experience a reduction in peripheral vision and a decline in fine motor skills in her left hand, doctors are optimistic that she will return to her previous state, free from seizures, through a range of physical therapy methods.

What Is Rasmussen’s Encephalitis?

Rasmussen's encephalitis is a rare neurological disorder characterized by chronic inflammation of the brain, which typically leads to progressive brain damage and deterioration of motor skills. This condition often causes frequent seizures and other neurological symptoms, and it usually affects only one hemisphere of the brain.

Treatment may involve medications to manage seizures or, in severe cases, surgical procedures such as functional hemispherectomy to alleviate symptoms.

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