Posted on Tuesday, October 21, 2008 8:04:56 AM by COUNTrecount

Vice presidential candidate had brain surgery in 1988 to repair 2 aneurysms

Newly released medical records from vice presidential candidate Joe Biden do not include the results of any recent brain scans, which some experts consider necessary to assess whether the senator is at risk for a repeat of the brain aneurysms that nearly killed him 20 years ago.

Biden's most recent physical exam in July showed him to be in good health, according to a letter from Dr. John Eisold that the campaign released Monday. The letter from Eisold, who is the attending physician for Congress, described Biden's cardiac capacity as excellent.

But the 49 pages of records the campaign rele

ased gave no indication that Biden's doctors sought follow-up tests after the serious aneurysms he suffered in 1988. Medical experts are divided over the need for such precautionary brain scans, but many feel it is the only way to be sure a patient is out of danger.

(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...

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Biden Did Not Have Follow-Up MRI After Brain Surgery, Had Other "Tests"

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October 24, 2008 9:23 AM

ABC News' Kate Snow, Matthew Jaffe, Susan Wagner and Joanna Schaffhausen Report: When Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden released his medical records Monday, the documents did not state whether he had had follow-up brain scans after his two 1988 brain aneurysms.

However, ABC News can now confirm that Biden has never had a follow-up MRI because the metal clips used on the aneurysms in 1988 are "not compatible" with that test, according to an Obama-Biden aide.

The aide said the Delaware senator did have tests of some kind following the 1988 surgery that showed he was "aneurysm free", but could not provide details of what these tests were or when and where they were performed.

In addition to a form of MRI, another test often used to detect brain aneurysms is a CT scan, sometimes called a CAT scan. A CT scan is a special type of X-ray that allows doctors to see weaknesses in the walls of brain arteries. It is possible that Biden might have had such a procedure, but again the campaign has not confirmed any specifics about any tests done.

Some doctors recommend brain scans to detect new problems after a patient goes through surgery to remove a brain aneurysm.  People who have suffered a brain aneurysm do have an increased, albeit small, risk of developing another aneurysm later in life.

Biden's medical records released Monday showed that he appears to be in good health, as Dr. Matthew Parker, an internist in Washington, D.C., confirmed in a conference call with reporters. Parker has never treated or met Biden, but he reviewed a portion of the lawmaker's medical records and consulted with Biden's personal physician, Dr. John F. Eisold, the attending physician at the US Capitol, who does not speak to the media.

The Delaware lawmaker's biggest health issue concerns two brain aneurysms he had surgery for in 1988. Dr. Eisold had written that Biden has "recovered fully without continued effects" from the aneurysm, but the records released Monday did not reveal whether or not Biden has had periodic brain imaging done since his surgeries.   

The campaign assured reporters that they would release additional records about follow-up brain scans, but they have yet to do so.