9-Year-Old-Boy Who Suffered Life-Threatening Arteriovenous Malformation Rupture Saved by Team at Holtz Children’s Hospital

By: Krysten Brenlla

Hudson Dick, a 9 -year-old boy who loves school and soccer, was usually full of energy. However, in October of 2023, his mom, Kristin Dick, was concerned when he suddenly started complaining of a bad headache

“When I was talking to him, he started presenting with stroke-like symptoms and weakness on the left side,” Kristin said. “For Hudson to have woken up and told us that his head was hurting so badly was a big deal.”

Kristin immediately called 911, and Hudson was transported to the nearest hospital near their home in Fort Lauderdale. Once they arrived, the family received devastating news.

Hudson was suffering from a rare medical condition – a brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM), or an abnormal tangle of blood vessels in the brain. The AVM – which was 5 ½ centimeters long – ruptured, causing a brain bleed and a stroke. The bleeding continued, pressing on his brain and causing Hudson to herniate, blow his pupil, and fall into a coma.

His medical team worked quickly to stabilize him, and through a craniectomy, or brain surgery that removes part of the skull, they relieved the pressure.

After surgery, Hudson spent two weeks in the hospital in a coma. However, his family knew he needed more specialized care, and after many conversations with friends and medical experts, they found a new team of neurosurgeons. Hudson was transferred to Holtz Children’s Hospital at Jackson Memorial Medical Center – one of the only centers in South Florida with specialized expertise in AVM treatments for both adults and children, offering surgery, embolization, and focused radiation.

“At first, Hudson wasn’t speaking, and he couldn’t move the left side of his face and body,” said Robert M. Starke, MD, co-director of endovascular neurosurgery at Jackson Memorial Hospital, and a UHealth – University of Miami Health System neurosurgeon and neuroradiologist. “Since his AVM was so large and against key areas in his brain, the best approach was embolization, where we go in and block the feeders of the AVM. Afterward, we removed the AVM completely, which was extremely successful.”

“Hudson was still suffering from so much swelling after his AVM bleed in October, it often takes months before the bone can be replaced. We waited until March to put the bone flap back in, and during that time, he wore a helmet to protect himself,” said Heather J. McCrea, MD, PhD, director of pediatric neurosurgery at Holtz Children’s, and a UHealth – University of Miami Health System pediatric neurosurgeon. “He had substantial deficits from his initial bleed – he had to relearn everything, but, he’s extremely motivated, and a great kid. He did remarkably well.”

Hudson spent a month at Holtz Children’s pediatric intensive care unit recovering. During that time, he worked on his mobility and motor function with Kyle Zreibe, a physical therapist at Christine E. Lynn Rehabilitation Center for The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis at UHealth/Jackson Memorial Hospital.

“When I first met Hudson, it was immediately after surgery, and our first task that day was just to assess his movements,” Zreibe said. “We sat him on the edge of the bed, and at that time, he required a lot of assistance to even do that.”

In working with his team of therapists at Lynn Rehabilitation Center, Hudson went from needing assistance when attempting to walk and move his body, to walking with the Zero G Gait Trainer, which helped support his weight while he walked.

“Walking was really hard for me,” Hudson said. “I didn’t have good balance at the time either. But, just standing for a while was good, and my left leg started getting used to standing and walking.”

Eventually, Hudson started moving on his own.

“We started working together in October, and by December, he was already walking on his own without any body weight or support – I wasn’t even holding him,” Zreibe said. “Hudson is a huge soccer fan and is very motivated by Lionel Messi – I would always tell him that therapy was like a training camp for the Inter Miami soccer team, and that helps to normalize it.”

After four weeks of therapy, Hudson was ready to go home, right in time for the holidays. By January, he was back in school, and at the end of the school year, he made the Honor Roll, despite missing ten weeks of class.

For the future, Hudson hopes to reach a new goal with Zreibe’s help – running, so that he can try out for his school’s soccer team.

“My husband and I feel like Hudson is a miracle kid,” Kristin said. “The stars aligned to save Hudson’s life, and we’re so proud of him. We truly believe that we wouldn’t be where we are today if it weren’t for Jackson and the exceptional care he received.”

“I think God kept me around for a good reason,” Hudson said. “One day, I’ll do something great.”