Second diagnosis, second chance

After being told he had an inoperable brain tumor, Air Force veteran Tyler Nuttle sought a second opinion at the University of Cincinnati Gardner Neuroscience Institute.

“I thought that surgery was feasible,” Norberto Andaluz, MD, professor and director of skull base neurosurgery in the Department of Neurosurgery in UC's College of Medicine and a neurosurgeon at the UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute, said.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Nuttle told Lake Charles, Louisiana television station KPLC.

Andaluz said the tumor was located in the center of the brainstem related to hearing, facial movements, facial sensation and coordinated eye view, so he continuously monitored brain pathways and nerves that move the face, impact hearing and help you swallow during the surgery.

The surgery was a success, and Nuttle is expected to make a full recovery.

“Just getting back to being able to run, jump with my kid. That’s what I look forward to the most. Absolutely,” he said.

Watch or read the KPLC story.

Featured photo at top of Andaluz in surgery. Photo/University of Cincinnati.