Looking for Surgeons in Minnesota

[Chipnrio1]

I'm hoping someone on this forum can suggest surgeon(s) in Minnesota.  My boyfriend was recently diagnosed with a 2.1cm AN on the right side.  The AN was found as the result of an MRI which was done for a totally different reason.  We are just starting done the investigation path of our options after having discussed with Neurologists and ENT. 

Insurance is an issue for him, he has some now, it's not that good, but we never know if he's going to continue to have insurance, so I think if he's leaning towards some surgery it needs to be done in the next 60 days. 

He would love to go to HEI but his insurance won't cover anything out of state. 

He does have some minimal hearing loss in the affected ear, but it isn't significant, so he really wants to try and preserve the hearing. 

Anyone have any recommendations for surgeons in our area?  If not, any suggestions on how I find the best surgeon in our area? 

Thanks

[LakeErie]

Dr Link at the Mayo Clinic is an experienced AN surgeon and a good doctor to start your research  with.

[Cheryl R]

Hello from Iowa and not Minn.      There have been people on here who have went to Mayo's and also Univ of Minn.    They may answer in time also.      I go to the Univ of Iowa and it is a highly reputable hospital too.         Your husband may be over the size where mid fossa would save the hearing.      I can say that Iowa City and Dr Bruce Gantz does more mid fossa than Mayo's does.          I do not think Iowa City does retrosigmoid which may save some hearing.   The tumor location plays a part also no matter what size as well as what damage has already been done to the nerves.            Dr Gantz is not big on radiation while I have heard some Mayo drs will.                  Your ENT may have to refer you to a dr unless your ins allows you to just call on your own.       If interested in Iowa City then some people have been able to appeal to their ins.           I have NF2 so have had more than one AN surgery and am very happy with Univ of Iowa.                           Good luck with how it goes for you and I wish you both well!                       Cheryl R

[cindyjarrett]

Hi!

I met with Dr. Link and Dr. Driscoll at the Mayo Clinic in September.  They were very knowledgeable and really took the time to explain the options of surgery and radiation.  I live, however, in Virginia and chose the University of Virginia to have gamma knife radiation.  If I lived in Minnesota, I would definitely go and talk with Mayo.  Dr. Link is a surgeon and will do gamma knife.  He said I would have to make up my mind on which way to go but since I still had 94 percent word recognition in my left ear, if it were him he would do gamma. 

Best Wishes,
Cindy

[MNTim]

Drs. Link and Driscoll at Mayo Rochester removed my AN about two years ago. The tumor had been "debulked" twice prior so it was very "sticky" (a lot of scar tissue).  They are very knowledgeable about AN's and I am very happy with the results.

Best of luck.

[Twindy]

I also saw Dr. Link at Mayo and felt he was well informed, experienced, and took the time to answer all my questions.  He does both surgery and radiation.  Good luck!