Dr. Ameer Hassan Treats Patient with Rare Condition in Brain at Valley Baptist in Harlingen

HARLINGEN  – Dr. Ameer Hassan, Endovascular Neurologist at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen, recently performed a very specialized “endovascular neurology” procedure on a woman who traveled to Valley Baptist all the way from Italy, Jenni Cerea.

Dr. Hassan said Ms. Cerea had an “occluded” vein on one side of the brain, which blocked the flow of blood draining out of her brain.  The procedure involved running a catheter (thin tube) inside blood vessels in Ms. Cerea’s leg, up to the blocked vein on the side of her brain.  Neurologists then inflated a tiny balloon to open the blood vessel — and inserted a tiny metal device, a stent, to hold the vein open, so blood would continue to flow out of Ms. Cerea’s brain.

Ms. Cerea said she suffers from several rare conditions, including debilitating spinal problems, and her symptoms became so bad that she became bed-ridden 10 years ago, at the young age of 22.

“Now I want to try to return to a normal life,” Ms. Cerea said from her hospital bed in Valley Baptist’s Neuro Intensive Care Unit. “I’m from Italy – but my American dream is to go back to a normal life.  I like this country because it gives an opportunity for people who were not born in the USA.  The people here are so kind and they help me out and take care of me.”

Prior to her illness, Ms. Cerea said she was an active person, being a university student and dancer.  Now her wish is for simple things — such as being able to go out for coffee at a restaurant with her mother, Camilla Frosio, also of Italy.

Ms. Cerea said she plans to seek rehabilitation care at a specialized rehab center in Chicago, and will return to the Valley for follow-up visits with Dr. Hassan.

While her trips to the United States are expensive – especially since treatment outside the European Union is not covered by insurance – Ms. Cerea said she started a non-profit organization where people can donate to help with her medical expenses.  She also has published her story on a website – including a blog section on her treatment in the Valley — in Italian, at http://www.giornopergiornonlus.it/.

Since coming to the Valley in 2012, Dr. Hassan has become nationally-known, and recently was elected vice-chair of a national organization, the American Academy of Neurology’s section on Endovascular and Interventional Neurology.  For more information about advanced treatment for brain and spine conditions, consult your physician and visit www.ValleyBaptist.net.