Introduction and questions

[leapyrtwins]

This is nothing but a suggestion, but of all the people I consulted with during my process, I got the most information, insight, and input from the House Clinic in LA.  They will review your MRI for free of charge and discuss the various surgical procedures with you. 

Just wanted to mention to the newbies that House (HEI) is a great place for surgery, but surgery is almost always what they recommend.  Makes sense; they are surgeons; that's their business - and it's a big business for them.  That said, surgery isn't for everyone.

For those who have the option of radiation - depends on location and size of your AN - I highly recommend you also talk to docs who do radiation.  Or, even better, a doc who does both surgery and radiation. 

You want to make sure you know all the options available before you make your treatment decision - so don't just sell yourself short by talking to surgeons.   

Jan

[mesafinn]

I couldn't agree more with Jan!

House will definitely recommend surgery.  If you want to understand Translab v Middle Fossa v Retro, they will explain it all.  And in the end, they'll encourage you to have surgery.

Consider all your options (including GK, Cyberknife, and Watch n Wait) and then make the best decision for you.

[CHD63]

I have to respectfully disagree that House always recommends surgery.  Dr. Friedman gave me the option of CK or GK, until he learned from me about my radiation exposure as a kid.  He still said the decision was ultimately mine and at no time did I feel pressured towards surgery.

That being said, I think most people will find that CK specialists are always sold on their procedure and GK specialists are always sold on their procedure ..... so it simply has to come down to each patient carefully doing his/her own homework and then going with whatever seems the most logical in their own situation.

Just MHO.

Clarice

[leapyrtwins]

I was lucky enough to have a doc (neurotologist) who does both radiation (GK) and surgery so he didn't have any bias.  And in my case, since I had both options, he didn't "push" one or the other.

Whether we agree on House or not, if you have options available you should look into all of them thoroughly.

Jan

[Kathleen_Mc]

Rachel -

I totally understand just wanting the tumor out of your head - it was one of the factors that led me to opt for surgery over radiation. 

MEI is a great place; wonderful reputation; you can't go wrong there.

As for Kathleen's comment on surgeons having no bedside manner, while I respect her opinion, I found this wasn't true in the case of my surgeons (neurotologist and neurosurgeon).  I couldn't have asked for a better bedside manner from either of them.  Some patients could care less about bedside manner, but it was important to me.   Surgeons w/good bedside manners are out there.

Jan

Jan: I said "TYPICALLY"...
Kathleen

[pjb]

Rachel -

I totally understand just wanting the tumor out of your head - it was one of the factors that led me to opt for surgery over radiation. 

MEI is a great place; wonderful reputation; you can't go wrong there.

As for Kathleen's comment on surgeons having no bedside manner, while I respect her opinion, I found this wasn't true in the case of my surgeons (neurotologist and neurosurgeon).  I couldn't have asked for a better bedside manner from either of them.  Some patients could care less about bedside manner, but it was important to me.   Surgeons w/good bedside manners are out there.

Jan

Where is MEI ??..

[pjb]

Rachel -

I totally understand just wanting the tumor out of your head - it was one of the factors that led me to opt for surgery over radiation. 

MEI is a great place; wonderful reputation; you can't go wrong there.

As for Kathleen's comment on surgeons having no bedside manner, while I respect her opinion, I found this wasn't true in the case of my surgeons (neurotologist and neurosurgeon).  I couldn't have asked for a better bedside manner from either of them.  Some patients could care less about bedside manner, but it was important to me.   Surgeons w/good bedside manners are out there.

Jan

Jan: I said "TYPICALLY"...
Kathleen

Kathleen you are so right experience is the utmost concern with any decision for an AN...I consider bedside manner secondary to experience some of us were not that lucky with their choices and choose by the amount of surgeries or radiation that they have performed is the major factor in choosing what team to go with.

[ewchisek]

Hi! I would definitely send your stuff to House. I didn't go there for surgery, I went thru MEI, but I did send all my info and the dr who called me back was willing to answer any question I had. In fact, he still calls to see how I'm doing! Anyway, Dr.Pieper will be the neurosurgeon that will do your surgery thru MEI...he's the most experienced in our area as far as AN surgeries go. I would make an appointment with him, he's out of Michigan Head and Spine in Novi/Royal Oak. He is a down to earth, great guy!
As for the type of procedure...if I would of been given your choices, I would of tried to save my hearing! I'm almost three months post op, and I'm managing the hearing loss, but no doubt has it been life changing. Good Luck. Sounds like your in a good place as far as the tumor goes. It's scary, but you'll be just fine!

[michellef08]

Hi Rachel,
Regarding Middle Fossa and residual balance issues: I just had Middle Fossa surgery on 4/10/13 at House with Dr. Schwartz and Dr. Friedman. Dr. Schwartz explained to me beforehand that instead of leaving some residual balance nerve, their practice is to cut the balance nerve completely. This way the brain does not get partial signals from the nerve, and can much easier compensate using just the other side. Today, I am exactly 3 weeks post-op and have absolutely no balance issues!

Hope this helps!

[nftwoed]

Hi;
   Re, severing the dual branch vestibular nerve during MCF; I know of a person with residual balance/dizzy issues because they ( HEI ) excised the AN from the vestibular nerve. I wonder if they've changed procedural policy since the latter 2000s? The person had Dr. Braackman.

[Stepphers]

I hope you found a good surgeon, very good info in this thread.