Otolarygologist/Neurotologist vs. Neurosurgeon

[sharonov]

In my quest for THE right surgeon, I've noticed that two who are highly recommended are Otolaryngologists rather than Neurosurgeons.  Does this make a difference?  If so, what?   Of course I know what each is, but would one be better than the other for AN surgery?

[Jeepers]

I understand that the neurotologist/neurosurgeon team is the way to go. The neurosurgeon part of my team explained that although he's done many, many ANs over the years, he would not do it without a neurotologist.

[Jim Scott]

sharonov ~

Many AN surgeries involves doctors of each discipline.  I don't believe there is a formal protocol that requires both a neurologist and neurosurgeon performing the surgery.  It seems to be more of a doctor's personal choice.  FWIW: my AN removal surgery was performed by two neurosurgeons. They did an excellent job - no complications.

Jim

[Jeepers]

sharonov ~

Many AN surgeries involves doctors of each discipline.  I don't believe there is a formal protocol that requires both a neurologist and neurosurgeon performing the surgery.  It seems to be more of a doctor's personal choice.  FWIW: my AN removal surgery was performed by two neurosurgeons. They did an excellent job - no complications.

Jim

That's interesting, Jim. I was under the impression that a neurotologist was always part of the team. Huh. Guess I'm just remembering what's recent with me - although I do admit, when the neurosurg said he's done many ANs, I wondered why he didn't do them on his own.

[nancyann]

hi sharonov:  I had an otoneurology surgeon & a neurosurgeon for my AN surgery.
There usually are 2 surgeons working in sync.

Always good thoughts,  Nancy

[MissMolly]

An otolaryngologist is an ear, nose and throat specialist - specializing in ALL diseases of the ear nose and throat.  Allergies, deviated septums, ear wax, ear infections and pressure equalization tubes.  For something specific like an AN, your average otolorgyngologist will refer to a specialist.  A Neurosurgeon specializes in surgeries of the nervous system (such as a neuroma, stroke, head trauma, etc.).  The Neurootologist specializes in neurological issues with the auditory system.  This is why many AN surgeriies have both a Neruosureon and neruro otologist present during surgery. 

Hope this helps.

Molly

[nteeman]

I had 2 surgeons: Neurosurgeon and Octolarygologist (ENT).

Neal

[tenai98]

Same here. It was explained to me that my ENT would open and my neurosurgeon would close. Part of my tumor was IAC.
JO

[leapyrtwins]

My surgical team was a neurotologist and a neurosurgeon working as a team.

My neurotologist also goes GK (gamma knife) with a radiation oncologist - once again, working together as a team.

Jan

[Jim Scott]

That's interesting, Jim. I was under the impression that a neurotologist was always part of the team.

Not necessarily.  I never saw a neurologist.  Following my initial diagnosis, I had two pre-surgery consults, both with neurosurgeons only.  The second neurosurgeon - the one I used - partnered with another (younger) neurosurgeon in his practice - and, for my case - a radiation oncologist.  That was it. There was never any mention of needing an additional doctor for my surgery.  Because things worked out so well, I never thought much about whether some other doctor's expertise was necessary - because it clearly wasn't - in my case.  As I previous stated, there isn't a 'standard' for how many doctors in what specialty perform AN removal surgery.   For awhile, I assumed every AN patient had only a neurosurgeon, as I did.  I later learned that most have multiple doctors in the operating room performing different functions.  That's fine but it wasn't the case in my surgery and I can only relate my own experience.  I wouldn't read too much into this.  Apparently, AN surgery is fairly personalized and while more than one medical discipline is often involved (likely due to previous consultations), they aren't absolutely necessary or it would be a mandatory requirement.  It isn't.   

Jim

[Jeepers]

I wouldn't read too much into this.  Apparently, AN surgery is fairly personalized and while more than one medical discipline is often involved (likely due to previous consultations), they aren't absolutely necessary or it would be a mandatory requirement.  It isn't.   

Jim

I agree!   

[Rick Everingham]

Both of my surgeons were neurotolaryologist.

[AMD]

I agree with everyone, it just depends.  I opted for the neurotologist/neurosurgeon combo.  There are some neurosurgeons where I'm from that do it by themselves or with another neurosurgeon.  Molly is right, Neurotologist are ENT docs with special training in regards to tumors of the auditory canal  which starts to cross over to brain surgery territory.  The ENT guys are experts in the ear field while neurosurgeons are all about the brain, so the fact that my tumor involved both seemed like and esy decision for me. 

Go with whichever doctor you are comfortabel with and don't afraid to shop around.  My biggest deciding factor - who did the most and with the best outcomes.

[sharonov]

My biggest deciding factor - who did the most and with the best outcomes.
 

 
 
I wish there were a score card to consult!
Sharon

[Cheryl R]

I am not sure if this would be even an accurate result.         One dr might get easier type tumors and the drs who are known more for their work might have the people with the harder and bigger ones with poorer locations so the results of those patients might make it look like the drs don't do as well as there will be more long term problems with these patients.                If one reads how many people may die in a hospital or have poor outcomes you have to look if they were in poor condition to start with and no place would help them.                  There is  reason sometimes why the elderly  get sent back home or to their nursing home so it doesn't throw off the rate of how many die in that facility.                 Sometimes one has to be aware that the infection control isn't exactly what it may appear as the amount and type of patients can throw it off if one isn't medical person to know some of the details.                This doesn't sound as good as it should be explained as I don't describe things well as I used to thanks to the last AN surgery.                                                           Cheryl R