Scull Base Institute

[Mickey]

I was wondering how many patients used this method for removal of ANs.? Ineresting procedure according to what I have read. Like to get some opinions.

[Jim Scott]

Mickey ~

A handful of our members have undergone endoscopic surgery to remove an acoustic neuroma, most of them at the Skull Base Institute in Los Angeles, California, run by Dr. Shahinian.  As I recall, all of the SBI patients that posted were pleased with the results.  However, this is still a relatively new and slightly controversial surgical procedure for acoustic neuroma removal.  Because AN removal surgery is very complicated, anything new and different that concerns such a complicated surgery is often viewed with skepticism by the medical community.  My very experienced neurosurgeon claimed to be clueless about endoscopic surgery on acoustic neuromas.  He was also quite negative about the premise.  However, that was in 2006 and things may have changed by now.  I've always said that endoscopic surgery for acoustic neuroma removal could well be 'the wave of the future'.  I still believe that but of course, I'm not a doctor and I could be wrong.  I trust that the few folks who've undergone endoscopic surgery to remove their AN will chime in on this thread, soon. 

Jim

[ppearl214]

Mickey

Try a "search" here for SBI or Skull Base Institute. I know of some that were happy and some not. Please try a "search" option as there have been many posts over the years regarding the work they do. 

Phyl

[Mickey]

Thanks for the help. From my investigating I would think this process would be more in the limelight now. Must be a reason for it to not have taken the forfront in AN technology. Probably is that most of the AN regular surgery is so perfected after all the years it has under its belt. Mickey

[OTO]

Also look for the discussion thread in the Microsurgical Options forum.   Someone posted an article about St. Vincent's Hospital using a new tool.   The article says Dr. Schwartz, neurosurgeon with House Ear Clinic is using this new NICO Myriad tool that is minimial invasive.   Not sure if this is endoscopic surgery, but something new that House Clinic and St Vincent's is using. 

[leapyrtwins]

Lots of posts on the Forum about SBI and Dr. Shananian, who is somewhat of a controversial doc. 

As Phyl mentioned, if you search you'll find them.

I can't imagine having endoscopic surgery for an AN, but in all fairness those who've had it seem to be very happy with it.

I asked my neurotologist his opinion about it a few months ago and he told me he wasn't in favor of it because you can't see if bleeding occurs and to him that was an issue.  I'm not sure of all the specifics, just recall that this concerned him.

Jan