The Red Sox top prospect, outfielder Ryan Westmoreland of Portsmouth, RI, has been diagnosed with a rare congenital condition (a cavernous malformation) that carries a risk of neurological damage and is potentially life-threatening.
He has taken a medical leave of absence from the club to obtain treatment and undergo surgery.
GM Theo Epstein made the announcement yesterday:
“The entire Red Sox organization stands in support of Ryan as he courageously deals with this issue. (He) is a remarkable kid and a talented player, and we understand that many will be concerned about his health. He’s getting the best medical attention the world has to offer, and we’ll have more information soon. Until then, out of respect for Ryan’s privacy and at the request of (his) family, we will not have any further comment.”
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Westmoreland, who is just 19 years of age, was the ballclub’s fifth round pick in 2008. He left the Red Sox minor league camp on March 4 due to the fact he was suffering from headaches and exhibiting neurological symptoms, including numbness.
He flew to Boston the same day and was examined and diagnosed at Mass General Hospital on March 5. Subsequently, the Red Sox organization flew him around the country for consultations with three leading neurological experts, who determined he needs the surgery (which will be performed by Dr. Robert Spetzler of the Barrow Neurological Institute on Tuesday in Phoenix, AZ).
He is currently in Arizona now with his parents, Ron and Robin, and other family members awaiting the surgery, according to a source close to the family.
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According to the Mayo Clinic website, a cavernous malformation is relatively uncommon, and typically doesn’t cause any symptoms; instead, it is usually discovered as the result of an MRI performed for an unrelated reason. In those instances where symptoms present, it usually does not happen until the person is in his / her 30s.
But in other cases, the defect may lead to significant bleeding or a hemorrhage into the brain tissue, causing weakness, numbness, a lack of coordination or difficulty with sight and / or speech. The site says that even a small amount of bleeding can cause irritation of the surrounding brain tissue, and in some cases cause seizures.
While we don’t know which—if any—of these symptoms Westmoreland may have experienced, we DO know that he was dealing with some symptomology—otherwise he would not have had to leave camp.
Medically, cavernous malformations are groups of thin-walled blood vessels (capillaries). The thinness of the walls sometimes allows blood to slowly seep into surrounding tissue. In some instances, blood leakage is of such significant that it constitutes a hemorrhage.
Malformations may occur in the brain tissue, cerebral cortex (brain stem), dura (the covering of the brain), spinal cord, or the nerves of the skull.
According to sources familiar with Westmoreland’s situation, his malformation is located on the brain stem and there has already been an episode of bleeding in the brain. The cortex is reportedly a very sensitive area from which to remove a malformation…but the fact that further bleeding could cause severe neurological damage makes surgery a necessity.
Malformations are typically embedded in normal brain tissue that is extremely sensitive and requires meticulous dissection.
According to reports, Spetzler has as much experience with cavernous malformations as anyone in the world and his results with these surgical procedures are (overall) very good. Surgery will take several hours, during which time the surgeon will employ minimally invasive surgical procedures to remove the malformation.
The surgery is potentially life-threatening (as is any brain surgery).
Our prayers are with Ryan and his family.
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