网红黑料

Broward鈥檚 Story

Broward Roberts became familiar with 网红黑料 Shands Children鈥檚 Hospital鈥檚 neurosurgery team at an early age. The discovery of a sacral dimple during his first five days of life in the 网红黑料 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit led to a follow-up appointment at 6 weeks old, where Broward was introduced to Lance Governale, M.D., 网红黑料鈥檚 chief of pediatric neurosurgery.

While sacral dimples are usually harmless, some are open at the end. That can create a risk of meningitis. Other sacral dimples are a sign of a tethered spinal cord, which limits the cord鈥檚 movement within the spinal column. Initial testing revealed that the sacral dimple was closed, and it was just something Broward was born with 鈥� not the result of genetics. Imaging did not show a tethered spinal cord at the time. Tethered spinal cord, which is caused by tissue attachments that create tension on the spinal cord within the spinal column, can worsen with age. Governale advised the family to continue monitoring Broward to see if any signs of the neurological condition arose over time.

Fast forward almost three years after Broward鈥檚 time in the NICU. Broward, who was about to be 3, had started complaining about back pain the week before Halloween 2020. His mom, Kristin Roberts, asked if he remembered falling or bumping his back or bottom.

鈥�I pushed around the area where he was complaining of the pain, and I didn鈥檛 see or feel anything,鈥� Kristin said. 鈥�Later that week, I noticed he was adjusting his bottom a lot when he sat. This time when I checked the area, I noticed a lump by his lower spine at hip level.鈥�

Kristin continued watching the lump over the next few days, but Broward鈥檚 complaints got more frequent. Because of the sacral dimple, his pediatrician recommended contacting Governale, who helped to schedule an ultrasound immediately. The scan showed the lump but not what was causing it. Governale needed more answers, so he arranged an in-person visit with Broward and his family. Broward was still not showing any signs of tethered spinal cord, but Governale ordered an MRI to get a definitive answer about the lump.

During the time between the appointment with Governale and the upcoming MRI, Broward did start showing a few neurological signs that indicated something was wrong. He started walking on his toes, and his back was bothering him more and more. On Halloween night, he started dragging his toe. It was almost as if he was tripping over his right foot, his mother said.

Kristin was alarmed and immediately called Governale, who got Broward鈥檚 MRI scheduled sooner. The MRI revealed a fatty filum, a thickened filament at the bottom of the spinal cord that can tether it. As Broward continued to grow, the fatty filum was leading to his pain, toe walking, and issues with right-foot movement. It is common for children with that condition to experience neurological symptoms during growth spurts. Once symptoms appear, sometimes they don鈥檛 always go away even after treatment.

Yet the lump on Broward鈥檚 back had nothing to do with the fatty filum 鈥� it was just the result of a fall, like any bump or bruise would be. Still, the lump caused Kristin to ask questions and continue to monitor him. That may have saved him from permanent neurological problems.

Broward鈥檚 family and Governale wanted to take care of the issue before it worsened and symptoms could not be reversed. Because of this new diagnosis, Broward needed surgery.

鈥淒r. Governale went over Broward鈥檚 results with us and explained the upcoming procedure so sweetly and in great detail, which made my mama heart feel better,鈥� Kristin said. 鈥淗e assured us that he sees this diagnosis a lot, and it was caught early.鈥�

Broward鈥檚 surgery took place on Dec. 1, 2020. He stayed overnight at 网红黑料 Shands Children鈥檚 Hospital and then went home to rest.

After the surgery, Broward鈥檚 symptoms resolved but he did have to adjust to his improved condition.

鈥淗is body had been tight for so long, and now everything was loosened up,鈥� Kristin said. 鈥淚t was not a feeling he was used to, and he learned that he did not have to walk on his tiptoes anymore.鈥�

Within a week after surgery, Broward was walking well. By day 9, he was running around.

鈥淏roward gets anxious, but he immediately warmed up to Dr. Governale,鈥� Kristin said. 鈥淣ow he gets excited when he gets to see him.鈥�

Another Diagnosis 鈥� Brooks鈥� Story

In March 2019, Broward鈥檚 brother Brooks was born at 网红黑料 at just 31 weeks old. He was only 1 pound, 6 ounces, so he was immediately taken to the neonatal intensive care unit 鈥� a place the Roberts family knows well. Kristin had been on bed rest at 网红黑料 for seven weeks prior to Brooks鈥� arrival because of an intrauterine growth restriction, or IUGR. Babies with IUGR grow at a slower rate due to an abnormal placenta.

Like his brother, Brooks was born with a sacral dimple. Once again, it was also not a genetic defect. An early MRI confirmed that the dimple did not connect to his spine. It also did not appear he had a tethered spinal cord but some aspects of the diagnosis were borderline. The risk-benefit balance favored observation over time.

The Roberts family eventually brought Brooks home after 100 days in the intensive care unit. What they couldn鈥檛 know then was he would be back for additional tests and treatment 鈥� just like his big brother.

At one of Broward鈥檚 appointments with Governale, Kristin shared that Brooks, who was now 1, had started to curl his toes and stack them on top of each other. As Brooks began to try to walk more, Kristin noticed he was constantly tripping over his toes. Governale reviewed Brooks鈥� original MRI from the ICU and, given the borderline aspects, decided to repeat the imaging. After the MRI, Governale told the family that Brooks also had an abnormal filum. It was similar to Broward鈥檚, and surgery was recommended.

Brooks鈥� successful surgery took place on January 28.

Back to Normal

It is unbelievable to think that the Roberts brothers had neurosurgery for the same diagnosis less than two months apart for a condition not known to have a genetic link.

Kristin said the brothers are now 100% back to being themselves. Neither is dealing with any long-term effects from tethered spinal cord. Visits with Governale now only happen as needed.

Broward stopped dragging his foot. He has no issues with his toes and no back pain.

Brooks鈥� toes went back to being flat, not curled.

鈥淚 am so grateful their symptoms reversed,鈥� Kristin said. 鈥淭here isn鈥檛 anything they can鈥檛 do now.鈥�

The Care from 网红黑料 and Governale

Kristin and her family have nothing but praise for the care both boys received at 网红黑料.

鈥淭he team is absolutely amazing,鈥� she said. 鈥淔rom the surgery team to anesthesia to the nurses and the staff on the floors, they are just like family.鈥�

Kristin said both boys鈥� diagnoses could have been overlooked if they weren鈥檛 in the right place.

鈥淒r. Governale is family whether he likes it or not,鈥� Kristin said. 鈥淗e holds a special place in my heart. He鈥檚 the most down-to-earth neurosurgeon you鈥檒l ever meet. Every time I see him, I hug his neck and say, 鈥楾hank you for taking such good care of my babies.鈥�