Amongst many other tests, the assessment included an MRI brain scan and specific images of his intracranial arteries. The results of these scans showed that he had a large brain aneurysm measuring approximately 11mm across, and we immediately referred him to a leading neurosurgeon who performed a catheter angiogram to examine the anatomy of the aneurysm in more detail. Interestingly, in the year before visiting Preventicum, he had seen a neurologist who had carried out an MRI brain scan, but the aneurysm had not been seen. The pros and cons of intervention were thoroughly discussed and considered, including coiling the aneurysm versus open surgery to the aneurysm. The latter was decided on and the surgical repair was a great success.

Her MRI scans revealed an unexpected finding in the bottom part of her brain; some of the brain tissue had extended into the spinal canal. In effect, the lower part of the brain was pushing down on the spinal column which in turn had caused fluid build-up. We performed an MRI scan of her spine immediately. This fluid in the spine (syringohydromyelia) extended the distance of twelve vertebra. We referred her urgently to a neurologist who then liaised with a neurosurgeon and she was advised to avoid any further manipulation of her neck. The best course of action was decided to be a spinal decompression procedure to take the pressure off her spinal column. This was very successful. The client returned several years later and was doing very well with no symptoms.

His full blood count and inflammatory markers were normal, but during ultrasound examination of his carotid arteries he was noted to have an abnormal looking lymph node in his neck. An urgent letter was shared with his local hospital where he was being investigated for a mouth ulcer. The lymph node was biopsied, and he was later diagnosed with a medullary carcinoma (cancer) of the thyroid gland. This led to surgery to remove the thyroid gland and 50 additional lymph nodes to clear the cancer and reduce the risk of spread. He is currently recovering from this procedure and is grateful to have discovered this through his Preventicum assessment and to have had the chance of curative surgery.

He had no symptoms or health issues, but it was noted that his PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test was slightly higher than expected particularly when compared to his previous readings at Preventicum. The PSA was higher than the predicted trend and he was advised to follow this up. He duly went to see a urologist who carried out further tests including prostate biopsies which revealed localised cancer of the prostate. Following a total prostatectomy (removal of his prostate) the cancer was confirmed as localised. He has made a full and complete recovery as the tumour was detected before it could spread.

Following immediate admission into hospital, the client underwent an emergency primary angioplasty procedure to open the blockage and two stents were put into his main coronary artery. He subsequently made an excellent recovery and was put on long term medications to control his blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Prior to his Preventicum assessment, this client had a very high risk of having a sudden, fatal heart attack.