Waiting for MRI result to see if I have an acoustic neuroma

[Rome54]

  Hi, my name is Rome54. I just took an MRI brain scan test today to check if I have
an acoustic neuroma.  I had a bad sinus infection at end of November, 2012, that
led to an inner ear infection. My hearing in one ear-my right ear-was muffled
for about 2 months.  I went to ENT Dec. 21, 2012, and took hearing test
and saw Ear doctor. He said it was an inner infection and gave me prednisone
(steroid) and Anyclovir (an anti viral). It helped some, but my right ear
was still muffled.  The ear doctor had me come back JAn. 25th, 2013, and
retake hearing test. The audiologist said my right ear was a little bit worse than the first time, but the ear doctor said but it's not that bad. But he did have me go for an MRI.  I had that done today, Jan. 31, 2013.  /  I had no dizziness-just hearing loss in right ear or muffled hearing. It seems better now. Maybe only 10 or 15 percent muffled.  /  As I'm anxious to know if I have AN, I wondered if anyone can tell me what they thing about my symptoms? Does it sound like I might have AN? My ear doctor said they're rare. Just wondered if anyone who has one or was diagnosed recently can tell me anything about whether my situation sounds hopeful or bad?? Thanks for listening!-Rome (54).

[nftwoed]

Hello Rome;

   I think at least some transient dizziness is common to someone with AN. You don't mention that.
Seems the MRI will tell the tale.
   Yes, ANs are rare, but not rare enough to dismiss too quickly. There are about 5,000 new ANs discovered in the USA each year.
   Best wishes to you! Are you able to see a Neurotologist or Otologist rather than an ENT? ENTs are not specialists in AN.

[arizonajack]

Welcome to the site.

Here's my suggestion.

Hustle yourself right back to the place you had the MRI done and ask them to give you the results on a CD.

You might have to sign a form or go from one department to another but most places are able to give you the CD right away.

When you get the CD home, fire up your computer and first look at the following link with images of MRIs that show acoustic neuromas:

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=909&bih=560&q=mri+acoustic+neuroma&oq=mri+acous&gs_l=img.1.0.0l2j0i24.1908.5455.0.7620.11.8.1.2.3.0.135.721.6j2.8.0...0.0...1ac.1.2.img.aJ8bO6zgYdU

Many of them have arrows pointing to the neuroma.

Then put your CD in and review the images. There are usually several hundred images in the typical MRI. An acoustic neuroma will be seen on only a handful. You'll know it when you see it.

MRIs often have centimeter gauges on the bottom and side of the image so you'll be able to calculate the size of the neuroma if you have one.

If it turns out you don't have one (and I hope you don't) then we kick you out of the club. But that's a good thing.