Newly diagnosed with AN

[Cscarter]

My husband was recently diagnosed with a medium sized AN. Because we live 50 Miles north of Atlanta, the ENT who ordered the MRI has suggested we see a neurosurgeon at Emory University. Because we have done a lot of research on our own on this subject we decided to see a local physician who was very thorough and helpful. We will also be seeing a local radiation oncologist. As we continue our search and research, we most definitely will seek out a second and maybe a third opinion on this subject. Does anyone have a suggestion or opinion on a neurosurgeon, neurotologist, or radiation oncologist in the Greater Atlanta area?

[notaclone13]

I’m surprised no one has responded to your query. The Acoustic Neuroma Association is based in Georgia so you would think they might have some information about treatment centers in the Atlanta area.  In regard to Gamma Knife treatment in the southeast, I believe Dr. Jason Sheehan at the U. Of Virginia is considered excellent and several people on the forum have traveled there for treatment. In the case of ANs, it may well be worth the trouble to find a medical center that has expertise and experience in treating this type of tumor.

[Cscarter]

Thank you so much for your response. We are continuing our search for physicians closer to home since my husband has a small business to consider in our decisions. So far, we have gotten a few opinions outside this forum regarding Emory in Atlanta. One being a neurosurgeon and the other a neurotologist. Because his tumor measures within the medium range we prefer to have a decision made sooner than later.

[notaclone13]

I found an older post in the forum archives by someone who posted as "-LABott". If you search under the name you can find all the posts.  I paste the most relevant one below:

"Welcome!  I'm in Atlanta as well. After consulting with several ENTs in town, I went with Dr. Douglas Mattox at Emory University.  He's head of the Otolaryngology Dept in the School of Medicine.  If you elect surgery, he'll team with Dr. Jeff Olson (head of neurosurgery); if you elect radiosurgery, he'll team with Dr. Ian Crocker in radiation oncology (both at Emory).  To give you an idea of this teams' reputation, the day I went in for my first consult w/ Mattox, I was the sixth AN consult he had that morning.  I opted for radiosurgery (LINAC - treatment date 2/2/06).  If you desire more info about my experiences (and a doctor in the area to avoid)  send me a time and number to call via my email at labott@bellsouth.net."

This post is back from 2006.  Perhaps you could try the listed e-mail and see if it is still operational. Dr. Crocker retired in 2016 so is no longer practicing. But Dr. Mattox is still at Emory and appears to be their resident acoustic neuroma specialist.

Whatever you decide, please post your decision as I am also in the Southeast and considering radiation treatment options for people in our neck of the woods. I will send you more specific information via the personal message option of the forum.