Eagles' Patterson has rare brain condition

FROM THE MORNING CALL

Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Mike Patterson has a medical condition called arteriovenous malformation (AVM) , a tangling of blood vessels outside the brain that apparently led to his collapse and seizure at training camp practice at Lehigh University Wednesday morning, the Eagles have confirmed.

The defect of the circulatory system is believed to arise during fetal development or soon after birth, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. It can develop at several sites around the brain or spinal cord and can have widespread effects on the body. These abnormalities can vary in severity from headaches to seizures, but often go undetected throughout life without any significant symptoms.

Patterson is expected to leave Lehigh Valley Hospital later Thursday and will return to his home in New Jersey before undergoing further evaluation in the coming days.


"We're pretty sure that what caused the seizure wasn't football related," said Rick Burkholder, the Eagles head athletic trainer, who added that a course of treatment won't be established until more tests are administered.

"It just so happened to be at football practice. It could have happened at home, in the dorms, anywhere," Burkholder continued.

Burkholder said that Patterson, at age 27, is outside the age group to first show symptoms of AVN.

Patterson, a 6-foot-1, 300-pound veteran of seven seasons out of the University of Southern California, was taken off the practice field in an ambulance. He had collapsed just before individual drills began. There hadn't been any physical contact between players before the incident.

Patterson dropped to the ground during practice Wednesday morning and began violently shaking. He was immediately tended to by trainer Rick Burkholder and his staff, with assistance from rookie offensive lineman Danny Watkins, a trained firefighter.

As players kneeled nearby, holding hands and praying, an ambulance arrived and Patterson was placed on a stretcher and lifted into the ambulance. He was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital where his condition quickly improved. Patterson reportedly was tweeting teammates later in the day, saying he was fine.

According to the Eagles website, Patterson is known as "Grizzle" by his teammates on the defensive line. He had 37 tackles and two sacks last season for the Eagles. He was a first-round draft choice in 2005, the 31st pick overall. Patterson is under contract with the Eagles through the 2016 season.

Patterson was an All-American defensive tackle and nose guard at USC, playing for two national championship teams. His most memorable moment as an Eagle came in September, 2006 against the San Francisco 49ers, when he picked up a fumble and ran 98 yards for a touchdown. It's the longest fumble return in team history.


http://www.mcall.com/sports/football/eagles/mc-eagles-patterson-condition-cn-080411,0,5727002.story