Channels

Photo: Alex Kolomoisky
Did Sharon's brain suffer extensive damage?
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Photo: AFP
Sharon brought to hospital
Photo: AFP

Hospital source: PM's brain badly damaged

Hospital source offers grim prognosis, but Hadassah Ein Kerem director qualifies remarks, says Sharon's condition cannot be determined as long as he's anesthetized. PM said to be in stable condition, may be anesthetized for days

(VIDEO) Prime Minister Ariel Sharon suffered extensive brain damage, a source at Jerusalem's Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital estimated Thursday evening, but the hospital's director qualified the remarks, saying the implications of Sharon's stroke would only be determined once the prime minister's condition improves.

 

Hospital director briefs reporters (Footage: Shai Rosenzeig, photo: AP)

 

Sharon may now spend several days anesthetized, before doctors attempt to rouse him on Sunday.

 

Hadassah Director Mor Yosef refused to predict Sharon's chances of recovery, but noted the prime minister suffered damage to his right lobe. The PM's reaction to various forms of stimulus cannot be examined because he is still under anesthesia and being ventilated, Mor Yosef said, but added Sharon's pupils were reacting well to tests.

 

"The Prime Minister's treatment cannot be measured with a stopwatch. It's not treatment in the pace of the 21st century's media. It's a treatment that takes between 24 to 48, or even 72 hours, depending on the prime minister's condition," Mor Yosef said.

 

Sharon's pupils reacting to stimulus

 

The fact Sharon's pupils are reacting properly is an encouraging sign, said Dr. Avi Cohen, who heads the Department of Neurosurgery at Be'er Sheva's Soroka hospital.

 

"The fact that Sharon's pupils are responding well indicates that his brainstem is intact," Cohen said.

"Stable vital signs can indicate that his brainstem is functioning," he said, adding that a hemorrhage on the right side of the brain may cause harm to the left side of Sharon's body.

 

Mor Yosef told reporters Thursday evening that Sharon is currently being treated in the Neurosurgery intensive care unit and has remained in a stable condition since the afternoon.

 

"All the medical parameters tested were found to be normal in light of his situation," he said. "The main treatment he is receiving at present is a deep anesthetization and ventilation."

 

Meanwhile, concerned foreign and local well-wishers continue to call the hospital and express their support for the prime minister in the hopes he fully recovers from the massive stroke, Mor Yosef said.

 

Efrat Weiss and Ronny Sofer contributed to the story

 


פרסום ראשון: 01.05.06, 22:56
 new comment
Warning:
This will delete your current comment