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Biden Did Not Have Follow-Up MRI After Brain Surgery, Had Other "Tests"
October 24, 2008 9:23 AM
ABC News' Kate Snow, Matthew Jaffe, Susan Wagner and Joanna Schaffhausen Report: When Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden released his medical records Monday, the documents did not state whether he had had follow-up brain scans after his two 1988 brain aneurysms.
However, ABC News can now confirm that Biden has never had a follow-up MRI because the metal clips used on the aneurysms in 1988 are "not compatible" with that test, according to an Obama-Biden aide.
The aide said the Delaware senator did have tests of some kind following the 1988 surgery that showed he was "aneurysm free", but could not provide details of what these tests were or when and where they were performed.
In addition to a form of MRI, another test often used to detect brain aneurysms is a CT scan, sometimes called a CAT scan. A CT scan is a special type of X-ray that allows doctors to see weaknesses in the walls of brain arteries. It is possible that Biden might have had such a procedure, but again the campaign has not confirmed any specifics about any tests done.
Some doctors recommend brain scans to detect new problems after a patient goes through surgery to remove a brain aneurysm. People who have suffered a brain aneurysm do have an increased, albeit small, risk of developing another aneurysm later in life.
Biden's medical records released Monday showed that he appears to be in good health, as Dr. Matthew Parker, an internist in Washington, D.C., confirmed in a conference call with reporters. Parker has never treated or met Biden, but he reviewed a portion of the lawmaker's medical records and consulted with Biden's personal physician, Dr. John F. Eisold, the attending physician at the US Capitol, who does not speak to the media.
The Delaware lawmaker's biggest health issue concerns two brain aneurysms he had surgery for in 1988. Dr. Eisold had written that Biden has "recovered fully without continued effects" from the aneurysm, but the records released Monday did not reveal whether or not Biden has had periodic brain imaging done since his surgeries.
The campaign assured reporters that they would release additional records about follow-up brain scans, but they have yet to do so.
October 24, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (50)
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Forget about Joe Biden's health. Let's see detailed medical records for Barack Obama, not just a one-page summary stating that everything's just fine. Those early years of drug abuse and smoking could've adversely impacted his health. We have a right to know, right?
Posted by: Cliff | Oct 24, 2008 11:30:52 AM
Twenty years ago, a non issue. He is obviously in good health. Where are the complete McCain and Palin records? What are they hiding? For those of you with socialistic paranoia for Obama you obviously do not understand the term. It is the right wing of Bush that just nationalized the banks. You don't like socialism send back you social security check, send back your unemployment check, send back your Medicare and Medicaid check, send back your disability check, take your kids out of public schools, cut food stamps, stop medical care for kids, etc... You are all tough talk until it is your turn, you loose your job than you see the light and cry like babies.
Posted by: Perspective | Oct 24, 2008 11:39:48 AM
Trump- He didn't stub his finger. He had a BRAIN ANEURYSM. Democrat, Republican, Independent, etc. that is something that has to be followed up on.
JimM- This is a non-news story the way Obama visiting his grandmother is a non-news story. It's his GRANDMOTHER!!! He didn't run off to the Sudan to help the poor and sickly. If he didn't go see his grandmother he would be simply an idiot.
Yet we tend to be incredibly biased in these times. Palin and McCain are fair game. Obama and Biden are untouchable. I get that.
Let me just ask you this... After Obama fixes the world's poverty, creates grand wealth, develops energy efficiency, ends all wars, cures AIDS, Cancer and Cold Sores all within his first week in office, what will he do then?
Blindly follow the rock star without truly looking at the issues. Palin scares you because of her anti-choice stance? Do you realize that in order to have Roe v. Wade overturned it would have to go through the Supreme Court Justices and the following act would be to push the law down to the individual states? That's it. No one is taking away a woman's choice and it's not like we have everything all settled down that we can focus our time on abortion and gay marriage.
Yes, this is a perfect time to vote in an untested saviour who will fix all the world's problems. I'll be the first in line for his new rock album too...
Posted by: Scott- Fed up with Reps&Dems | Oct 24, 2008 11:45:20 AM
Oh he is not fit to lead. He needs to step down. How do we know he does not have a handicap in the brain that would better his judgement??. Typical Dem blogger response if it was McCain or Palin.
Posted by: Jim Rod | Oct 24, 2008 11:47:15 AM
Perspective you say 20 years ago is a non issue. Works both way does it not or just your way to protect Obama from his past.
Posted by: Jim Rod | Oct 24, 2008 11:49:28 AM
J-Rod, good point,
my question to you is, did you see the office last night?
Posted by: Scott- Fed up with Reps&Dems | Oct 24, 2008 11:54:52 AM
pulllllllease! Is this "report" trying to ease the concerns of McCain's age? How sad this is becoming.
I would worry about McCain's age and health once in the WH just because of stress dealing with how many will be attacking/questioning his VP!
Posted by: metoo | Oct 24, 2008 11:57:43 AM
HAHAHAH, that's hilarious!! I forgot that it'll just be McCain and Palin in the office if they win. Great Point! No one surrounding them as advisers and such.
This country is on the fast track to re-electing Warren G. Harding!!
Posted by: Scott- Fed up with Reps&Dems | Oct 24, 2008 12:00:38 PM
Investigative journalist:
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/10/24/palin-denies-accepting-designer-clothes/
Posted by: getreal | Oct 24, 2008 12:04:56 PM
I have two brain aneurysms that have never ruptured. I have MRIs and angiograms to study the size of my aneurysms. Are they hiding this too?
Posted by: me | Oct 24, 2008 12:06:05 PM
Me- Valid entry. Do you and everyone else that have brain aneurysms get together for a tuesday night poker game? I didn't realize that all medical conditions were the same.
I wonder if Obama and Stalin smoked the same type of cigarettes...
Posted by: Scott- Fed up with Reps&Dems | Oct 24, 2008 12:18:20 PM
As for "leaving babies to DIE!!!". That is a statement of misunderstanding. Babies left alive after "botched" abortions are not babies you and I could adopt and raise - they are so underdeveloped they have no chance of survival outside the womb. When the fetus is strong enough to survive, abortions are not done by law. These 'babies' die, and they die very quickly, with or without the medical intervention. The "care" in question is PALLIATIVE care.
The nurse who started the legal process held a fetus/baby in her arms, until it died, that's how she got inspired. That's an example of palliative care. I really understand where she's coming from, and I respect her for doing so, though it probably ment more to her than it did to the baby. The question is not whether these fetuses' lives could be saved, because they cannot. I think that idea is purposefully injected into the discussion to try and muddle up the issue, and make it a big deal when it's not.
BTW, the whole issue is kind of moot. Since the ban on partial birth abortion, most hospitals stop the fetus' heart before the procedure. This is obviously kinder on the fetus, IF they feel anything at all, which may or may not be, depending on when the abortion is done. It does pose some risk to the mother though, like infection, which could be serious. But the chance of ending up with a live baby are zero.
Posted by: MM | Oct 24, 2008 12:22:28 PM
"I would worry about McCain's age and health once in the WH just because of stress dealing with how many will be attacking/questioning his VP!"
Metoo, don't you think McCain has triumphed over his share of struggles? If anyone's been tested for this job it's McCain, and you can be sure of that. And look at his mom, still livin' large at what, 125 years old now?
John McCain will never die... :)
Posted by: Cliff | Oct 24, 2008 12:28:53 PM
Cliff, I like your swagger. Let me ask you this... where do you think we should move to when the true colors of this country are shown and the Bradley Effect comes out in full force (and also if the youth remain high as anticipated and forget to vote)?
I'm going to camp out on top of the Empire State building and watch the race and hippy riots. When things settle down I'll head to the ground and write up some more subprime mortgages. Everyone should have a house... Yipeeee!
Posted by: Scott- Fed up with Reps&Dems | Oct 24, 2008 12:35:45 PM
"Posted by: MM | Oct 24, 2008 12:22:28 PM"
The "IL Born Alive Infant Protection Act" - one of Barack Obama's most significant accomplishments while serving briefly in the IL Senate.
Just ask this lady whether or not 0% of babies survive their botched abortions... http://www.bornalivetruth.org/giannastory.aspx
Posted by: Cliff | Oct 24, 2008 12:38:38 PM
"Posted by: Scott- Fed up with Reps&Dems | Oct 24, 2008 12:35:45 PM"
Listen, I hear where you're coming from brother. Believe it or not, my support for John McCain is lukewarm. I'm truly disappointed in our choices this go-round. Both candidates advocate Big Government solutions and I think it just shows a lack of 1) respect for our Constitution and 2) creative thought.
McCain says he's going to "name names"? That's great but how's he going to do that when the wolves in Congress are guarding the henhouse?
And don't even get me started on Obama...
Posted by: Cliff | Oct 24, 2008 12:45:52 PM
"Bradley Effect"
That would be sweet no doubt. Fortunately, I live far enough away from the inner cities and liberal enclaves that I won't have to climb to the top of a skyscraper, although I am going to do an American Lung Association benefit stair-climb up Denver's tallest building in February. :)
Posted by: Cliff | Oct 24, 2008 12:54:35 PM
Can I write in LeBron for President on the ballot??
Posted by: Scott- Fed up with Reps&Dems | Oct 24, 2008 12:55:00 PM
Zombie Reagan for Prez! :)
Posted by: Cliff | Oct 24, 2008 12:57:05 PM
I had a fiance who died from a cerebral brain hemmorage at the age of 36. As I read this story I can't help but be offended with Bidens judgement of not having follow up MRIs. I mean this in all sincerety. I wish my fiance had survived his aneurysm. I know he and I would have appreciated the second chance at life and used our better judgement and always had follow up MRIS. We would have insisted even if the doctors didn't think it necessary. Especially if he had Bidens health insurance plan. I learned the hard way an MRI is sometimes the only way to monitor a brain hemorrage. It doesn't even always show up in a cat scan.
Posted by: conf1689 | Oct 24, 2008 1:12:40 PM
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