Sandy Berger’s firm in Washington evidently put out a statement recently, announcing that he had taken a medical leave of absence and explaining his condition as follows:

Mr. Berger suffers from an acoustic neuroma—a tumor on the acoustic nerve leading to the brain that causes dizziness, balance problems, potential hearing loss and other complications. He has been advised by his physicians that the tumor is benign and that a full recovery can be anticipated but that surgery may be required.

As has been suggested here earlier, it doesn’t appear that his newly diagnosed condition is relevant to either the conduct involved in his case or the Justice Department’s disposition of the case on terms highly favorable to him. But, of course, it is good to know that his prognosis is bright, and I hope, as we all do, that, as expected, he recovers fully.