Uncommon Surgery Saves Chicago Dad's Life After Developing Rare Form of Brain Aneurysm

Brain Aneurysm Uncommon Surgery Jay Keller northwestern medicine

By Joel Brussels , Parent Herald Jun 22, 01:39 am

Photo: (Photo : Scott Olson/Getty Images)

One father is grateful to be alive after developing a rare form of brain aneurysm with doctors rushing to save him through an uncommon surgery.

Jay Keller knew something was not right in July 2021. He told WBRC that he thought he was just maybe getting older a little bit. The 48-year-old was admitted to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago for testing, however, when headaches and other symptoms continued.

Blood work showed Keller had an infected heart valve caused by bacteria from his mouth. Doctors said the bacteria stuck to his valve easily because he had a congenital heart defect. Each beat of Keller's heart would push blood through the infected valve to his brain. The blood work showed he had endocarditis from Streptococcus mutans (oral bacteria) that can cause cavities.

Rare form of brain aneurysm caused by bacteria

It led to a rare form of brain aneurysm that was caused by bacteria in the arterial wall. Dr. Babak Jahromi, who is a neurosurgeon at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, said that mycotic brain aneurysms tend to form rapidly.

Jahromi added that they are rare but a lot more dangerous and more likely to bleed than a regular brain aneurysm. He said that traditional treatments don't work well on this form of aneurysm. In Keller's case, a crucial vessel was infected in his brain, one that helps supply his motor cortex.

Jahromi talked about the risks of the surgery, saying "On one hand we save your life; on the other hand, you're going to be paralyzed in a wheelchair." The neurosurgeon said that instead of typical surgery, he did a rare internal bypass procedure on Keller, essentially replumbing the inside of his patient's brain. He said that the purpose of the operation was to cut out the infected segments and then reattach the remaining stumps to normal blood vessels.

It was like a miracle for Keller, who was up and walking one day after surgery. He was able to log seven miles in one day and could not believe how much better he felt.

Keller now has a normal life expectancy

He later underwent surgery to fix a hole in his heart with Jahromi saying that Keller has dodged two bullets at this point. He was back in the operating room two months after his first surgery with Dr. Pham the one who fixed the infected heart valve on April 21, 2022. According to the doctor, Keller now has a normal life expectancy thanks to the procedure.

According to Northwestern Medicine, the Chicago-based architect recently finished cardiac rehabilitation and he is ready to get back to running, biking, swimming, and spending quality time with his wife, Grace, and their seven-year-old son, Hudson.

Keller revealed in an interview that he is just happy to still be here, saying "I feel great. I'm lucky to be alive." He added that he hopes others won't wait to see their doctor if something doesn't feel right.