One year after surgery for Minor's syndrome, a neurological disease that particularly affects hearing and it ruined his life, a 52-year-old singer feels like he has “a second life.”
“It's like I'm 10 years younger! I have more energy, I no longer have migraines, I no longer feel tired,” says Martin Levac, singer and musician in a tribute group to Genesis and Phil Collins.
When Martin Levac was rehearsing in his music studio in 2017, he heard a cracking sound in his right ear. He soon began to feel dizzy, but he believed it was just a perforation of the eardrum and continued his practice.
“At first it felt like there was water in my ear, but after a few days I realized my hearing was not affected. After a few weeks, I started experiencing several symptoms such as migraines, light sensitivity, and autophony [entendre de façon amplifiée sa voix dans ses oreilles]“, he emphasizes.
Photo agency QMI, JOEL LEMAY
The musician will continue his professional activity until 2022, he will continue to give shows and offer music lessons to his students, but every activity becomes an immense effort. The symptoms require him to sleep 14 hours a day, he clings to his microphone stand to keep from losing his balance during a show, and he increasingly isolates himself to avoid having to speak.
“It took four and a half years before I knew what I had. All the ENT doctors I saw before Dr. I met Saliba [son chirurgien] didn't know what was going on […] I’ve had industrial quantities of sinus rinses done for free,” he laments.
Photo agency QMI, JOEL LEMAY
His health continues to deteriorate and he is considering changing careers if the situation does not improve. Until the day he received the results of a scan that showed he was suffering from dehiscence of his right temporal bone, a health problem called Minor syndrome (see box).
Through a search in Facebook groups, he was recommended Dr. Saliba, head of the ENT department at CHUM and head of the ENT department at the University of Montreal. After several examinations, Mr. Levac underwent surgery on November 30, 2022 and the effects of the operation were felt as soon as he woke up.
“It was so touching, when I talk about it I get goosebumps. I visited him in the recovery room an hour after the operation and he told me that the symptoms had already disappeared,” explains Dr. Saliba from CHUM.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY CHUM
After more than four years of struggling with headaches, hearing vibrations in his voice and spending his days in the dark to avoid light, Martin no longer experiences symptoms of illness.
“I couldn't believe it, it's like I never had this syndrome,” he exclaims.
A little over a year after the operation, the musician was able to resume his activities and continues to enjoy life. He feels like he has a second wind to pursue his passion and enjoy time with his family.
What is Minor Syndrome?
Minor syndrome is a thinning or dehiscence (opening) of the part of the temporal bone that covers the semicircular canal (above the ear). In other words, it is a thin bone at the base of the brain that breaks after an impact or too much pressure.
No medication can treat or prevent this disease. Some people learn to live with the disease, others seek surgery from an otolaryngologist. A malformation can be the cause of this disease.
The operation consists of a question mark-shaped incision in the temporal bone above the ear. A small incision is made in the skull.
This disease is rare; Dr. Saliba of CHUM, a leading authority in the field, reports having treated just over 200 cases in 18 years.
Symptoms vary from person to person but generally include headaches, sensitivity to light, speechlessness and dizziness.
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