Doctors operate on Seve again after brain swells

By Ben Harding

MADRID (Reuters) - Doctors have again operated on Seve Ballesteros to reduce swelling after removing a brain tumor on Tuesday, said a statement from the La Paz hospital.

"Mr Severiano Ballesteros showed, 48 hours after surgery, a decreased level of consciousness due to brain swelling and a decompressive craniectomy (withdrawal of a bone flap) was carried out," the Madrid hospital said on Thursday.

"His situation at present is stable and is controlled in the intensive care unit."

The 51-year-old Spaniard, one of the most gifted and charismatic players to grace golf, was taken to hospital last week after suffering dizziness and a brief loss of consciousness.

Charity Brain Tumor UK said a craniectomy to relieve pressure on the brain was an emergency procedure only carried out in one percent of cases following the removal of a tumor.

It added the swelling could be caused by a wide range of problems, including bleeding, irritation of the brain and incomplete removal of the tumor.

A hospital spokeswoman said doctors would take until at least Saturday to analyze the tumor and determine if it was malignant or benign.

TUMOUR SPECIALIST

"They have to do tests to confirm the type of tumor," she said. "They have an idea but they do not want to say anything until it is confirmed from tests."

Dr Geoff Pilkington, a brain tumor specialist at the University of Portsmouth, England, said doctors would have removed a piece of the golfer's skull to release pressure caused by swelling.

He said malignant tumors were much more common in men of Ballesteros's age.

The Spaniard, known for conjuring up magical shots after wayward drives, won the British Open three times and twice captured the U.S. Masters.

(Editing by Tony Jimenez)