A fresh outlook on life

Spinal surgery at OHSU corrects rare and debilitating spinal condition, clearing the way for life-saving liver transplant

By Erik Robinson December 29, 2016 Portland, Ore.

Downloads

Surgery corrects dropped head syndrome 2016

Vicki Hope, 56, of Boring underwent spinal repair surgery on Nov. 28, 2016 at OHSU to correct a rare condition known as dropped head syndrome. Her third and fourth vertebrae were removed and replaced with a cage packed with bone. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Surgery corrects dropped head syndrome 2016

"My head was stuck," said Vicki Hope, 56, of Boring underwent spinal repair surgery on Nov. 28, 2016 at OHSU to correct a rare condition known as dropped head syndrome. "I would walk and just look at the ground." Hope still has a feeding tube which she hopes will be removed shortly. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Surgery corrects dropped head syndrome 2016

Khoi Than, M.D. examines Vicki Hope, 56, of Boring during a follow-up visit. Hope underwent spinal repair surgery on Nov. 28, 2016 at OHSU to correct a rare condition known as dropped head syndrome. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Surgery corrects dropped head syndrome 2016

Khoi Than, M.D., an assistant professor of neurosurgery in the OHSU School of Medicine who described Hope’s condition as the worst case of dropped head syndrome he’d ever seen. Vicki Hope, 56, of Boring underwent spinal repair surgery on Nov. 28, 2016 at OHSU to correct a rare condition known as dropped head syndrome. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Surgery corrects dropped head syndrome 2016

Before and after images show the drastic change in outlook for Vicki Hope, 56, of Boring, who underwent spinal repair surgery on Nov. 28, 2016 at OHSU to correct a rare condition known as dropped head syndrome. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Surgery corrects dropped head syndrome 2016

Khoi Than, M.D., talks with Vicki Hope, 56, of Boring during a routine follow-up appointment, Dec. 22, 2016. Hope underwent spinal repair surgery on Nov. 28, 2016 at OHSU to correct a rare condition known as dropped head syndrome. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Surgery corrects dropped head syndrome 2016

Hope is recovering well, and hopes to have her feeding tube removed soon. Vicki Hope, 56, of Boring underwent spinal repair surgery on Nov. 28, 2016 at OHSU to correct a rare condition known as dropped head syndrome. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)