To: PartyTime who wrote (54427 ) 11/4/2008 12:14:25 PM From: Neeka Respond to of 224928 PartyTime....why won't Biden release his brain scans? No brain scans in released Biden medical records Vice presidential candidate had brain surgery in 1988 to repair 2 aneurysms By Jeremy Manier | Tribune reporter October 21, 2008 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 released 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. "If this was my patient, I would re-image every three to five years to make sure no new aneurysm had cropped up," said Dr. Mark Alberts, a professor of neurology at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine. An aneurysm is a dangerous bulge in a blood vessel that can be fatal if it bursts in a sensitive region such as the brain. Biden, now 66, underwent major brain surgery in 1988 to repair two aneurysms, one of which was bleeding and causing intense pain. The situation was so dire that a priest gave Biden the last rites of the Catholic church Church before his surgery. Doctors often monitor such a patient's blood vessels for years with CT scans or magnetic resonance imaging. Eisold did not speak to reporters about Biden's care, but the campaign made available Dr. Matthew Parker, a physician from Washington, D.C., who had spoken with Eisold and reviewed the records. Parker said he had no specific information on what tests Biden had, but added: "I have a very clear impression from Dr. Eisold that everything was fine." Campaign finance records indicate Parker has given $2,300 to the campaign of Biden's running mate, Sen. Barack Obama. The documents also detail a colonoscopy and a prostate exam that revealed a slightly enlarged prostate, for which Biden takes medication. He also takes drugs for elevated cholesterol and for allergies.chicagotribune.com