Eagles' Patterson has brain condition

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Eagles trainer Rick Burkholder said defensive tackle Mike Patterson has a brain condition that may require surgery.

Burkholder said Thursday that Patterson is undergoing further tests. Patterson, 27, was hospitalized after suffering a seizure Wednesday morning at training camp at Lehigh University.

"What they did determine through some of the testing is that Mike has a congenital tangle of blood vessels right outside his brain that is called arteriovenous malformation, or what we refer to as AVM," Burkholder said. "I'm pretty sure that's what caused the seizure. We're pretty sure it was not football-related."

Patterson's agent, J.R. Rickert, disputed the definite diagnosis of AVM. He said it's too early to say the 6-1, 300-pound Patterson has the condition. Rickert spoke with Patterson and his wife, Bianca, Thursday morning. He had a conversation with Burkholder on Wednesday.

"Rick spoke to one doctor who evaluated Mike that's leaning toward the diagnosis of AVM," Rickert told The Associated Press. "Two other doctors are not leaning toward AVM. They haven't ruled it out, but they're not leaning in that direction at all. They're saying it's premature to diagnose him in that capacity.

"We're going to take Mike to a fourth specialist to get an opinion. After we get that opinion, Mike and Bianca will get together and make a decision about the best course of action based on which opinion they want to follow."

Burkholder refused to discuss treatment options.

"With today's medicine, there is just a ton of options and everyone wants to jump right in to surgery because that's what been happening, not just with this particular case but with anything," Burkholder said. "There are so many other avenues out there, so it'd be foolish for me to even speculate what's going to happen with Mike.

"We handle football injuries all the time, but this is a neurological problem."

It's unknown when or if Patterson will return to the Eagles.

-- AP