When Mark Strand was diagnosed with a brain tumor in October 2023, his world narrowed to one urgent focus: finding a medical team that he had confidence in.
“It’s incredibly frightening to hear you have a brain tumor,” says Mark, retired after a 40-year career as a staffer and head of the Congressional Institute on Capitol Hill. “My first thought was, if I have to go through treatment for something like this, I want to make sure I’m working with the best doctors at the best possible facility.”
Mark knew something was wrong after several weeks of unexplained fevers, dizziness, and double vision. That’s when he turned to a multidisciplinary team of medical providers at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital for an explanation of his worrisome symptoms.
Blood tests indicated that Mark had myeloma, a type of blood cancer that likely caused his recent fevers. A subsequent PET scan revealed an incidental finding: a benign meningioma—a tumor that can occur anywhere in the central nervous system and grows in the layers of tissue covering the brain and spinal cord. As Mark began long-term treatment for the blood cancer at MedStar Georgetown, he sought a surgeon to remove the tumor.
With no time to lose, Mark scheduled an appointment with Christopher Kalhorn, MD, neurosurgeon at MedStar Georgetown, to discuss his treatment options. Having undergone a previous surgery with Dr. Kalhorn in 2005 to repair a ruptured disc in his back, Mark knew right away that he wanted Dr. Kalhorn to perform the operation.
“Dr. Kalhorn is an incredible physician who always has the pulse on the newest treatments and technologies,” Mark says. “I had a lot of confidence in him after that first procedure.”
Based on the location of Mark’s tumor on the top of his head, Dr. Kalhorn recommended a craniotomy—a procedure where a temporary opening is made in the skull to access the covering of the brain—utilizing the state-of-the-art intraoperative MRI system (IMRIS) suite now open at the Verstandig Pavilion at MedStar Georgetown.
The first of its kind in the region, the IMRIS suite provides real-time imaging without transferring surgery patients out of the operating room, so neurosurgeons can precisely remove brain tumors, accurately place electrodes during deep brain stimulation surgeries, minimize risk, and reduce the need for post-op imaging and additional surgeries.
“I knew the IMRIS suite would give us the measure of assurance and comfort during the course of Mark’s surgery that we had completely removed his tumor,” says Dr. Kalhorn. “Before the IMRIS technology, patients would have imaging scans after surgery, rather than during. If those scans showed residual tumor, additional surgeries would often be required.
“That’s one of the major advantages of this technology,” Dr. Kalhorn continues. “Every time we can avoid a trip back to the operating room, we’re making neurosurgery safer for patients.”
Supported by Dr. Kalhorn’s expertise and the IMRIS technology, Mark underwent a successful craniotomy in March 2024. By June, he was vacationing in Tuscany with his wife.
Feeling strong, Mark is relieved that all the symptoms caused by the benign meningioma disappeared after surgery.
“No one wants to have their brain operated on, because, by definition, it’s just scary,” Mark says. “But when you have a skilled team of medical providers using state-of-the-art technology like I had at MedStar Georgetown, it gives you confidence knowing you’re going to be in good hands.”
Besides working with an exceptional team employing the most advanced technology available, Mark offers an additional piece of advice to those facing similar challenges: “Never let your neurosurgeon cut your hair,” he jokes.
Introducing the IMRIS at the Verstandig Pavilion at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
