According
to Kimberly Tolstyka, it all
began with seemingly harmless shoulder pain
one day at work last October.
“I was sitting at my desk, and I felt a pop in my
shoulder blade,” Tolstyka recalls. “It felt almost
like someone had punched me. I got up, walked
around, stretched, and then sat back down.”
Tolstyka says by the end of the day, the pain
had radiated to her neck, side, and arm.
Seeking relief
Within days, the pain worsened and her arms
and legs became weaker. Tolstyka, a registered
nurse and certified case manager, began
visiting a number of physicians and medical
facilities. Numerous times physicians incorrectly
attributed the pain to a sprain or strain.
The usually active 53-year-old was relegated to
moving around the house with a walker and later
in a wheelchair because her legs were so weak.
With her condition worsening and her frustration
with incorrect diagnoses increasing, Tolstyka went
to the emergency department (ED) at Methodist
Richardson Medical Center, where she finally
found answers.
The correct diagnosis
Tolstyka was admitted for treatment after ED
physicians discovered a urinary tract infection.
Serge Lartchenko, MD, infectious diseases
physician, then began a series of tests and
discovered the presence of a MRSA infection,
which is caused by a strain of staph bacteria.
Knowing Tolstyka was also experiencing pain
and weakness in her extremities, Dr. Lartchenko
alerted Methodist Richardson neurosurgeon
Michael Oh, MD, PhD, who then ordered
an MRI scan. The imaging test revealed a
significant abscess in her spine: from the base
of her skull to her mid-torso. The abscess was
placing immense pressure on the spinal cord,
causing Tolstyka to become weak to the point
that she could no longer walk.
Dr. Oh explained to Tolstyka that if left
untreated, the abscess could lead to paralysis
from the neck down and recommended an
aggressive treatment plan.
The next day, Oct. 22, Dr. Oh performed a
laminectomy procedure, draining the abscess
in two places to relieve pressure on the spinal
nerves. He says he didn’t necessarily expect
Tolstyka’s diagnosis.
“It’s unusual to see an infection like
Kimberly’s in otherwise healthy individuals,”
he says. “We usually see this condition in
people with weakened immune systems, poor
wound healing, or those prone to infections.”
Road to recovery
Following the procedure, Tolstyka began a
regimen of antibiotics and intense physical
therapy and says she saw rapid progress, being
able to walk within weeks and return to work
in January.
She appreciates the quality care she received
at Methodist Richardson.
“Dr. Oh and Dr. Lartchenko were always
clear and upfront with me, never holding
back information,” she says. “They treated me
professionally and respectfully, and I appreciate
that they were always present immediately to
discuss test results with my husband and me.
“I have two sons and two granddaughters.
My family needs me. I’m so thankful for
Dr. Oh, Dr. Lartchenko, and the Methodist
Richardson team.”
Givingpain the
Methodist Richardson physicians worked together to diagnose
and treat Kimberly Tolstyka’s mysterious condition
DO YOU HAVE BACK
OR NECK PAIN?
Orthopedic surgeons with
the Brain and Spine Institute
at Methodist Richardson
can provide evaluations
and treatment for a variety
of neurological disorders,
including back pain and
injury, stroke, brain tumors,
and aneurysms. To find a
physician, call
972-4 DR LINE
(
972-437-5463
) or visit
6
Methodist Richardson Medical Center
•
❁
Spring 2014
