ENT vs Neurosurgeon

[elderbirds]

who is the "primary" surgeon in relation to ANs.  My ENT referred me to an ENT specializing in ANs and he told me the job was "shared" by neruosurg and ENT.  He told me he worked with 3 neurosurgeons (all at Johns Hopkins), but I don't know which of the 3 to see?  Which specialist does most of the follow up? or are you followed by both?  This gets more confusing as it goes!   I know this is a team approach  but it's hard to pick the right team.  (I am glad I have the luxury to have such a choice!). 

[cookiesecond]

Hi elderbirds,
I had surgery 8-2-05. The ent referred me to a neurotologist and the neurulogist and neurosurgeon did the surgery. Dr. Takanori Fukushima was the neurosurgeon and he travels a lot worldwide. In my case, the neurotologist(Dr. Calvin Cunningham) did my follow ups. He is a wonderful doctor!
I know deciding is very stressful. I hope you will find a team you feel confident with.After I made my decision on my course of treatment, I felt a great sense of relief.
Take care and keep us posted,
Lynn

[jtd71465]

I had my 1 year follow-up on 1/7, after my MRI I took my films to the neurosurgeon for review, it was then on to my hearing test.  After my hearing test I took those results to my Neuro-otologist.  Luckily everyone is in the same building at NYU (actually the surgeons offices are across the hall from each other)...I started at 10AM and was done at around lunch time(the MRI was the longest part).  I probably saw my Dr.'s for a total time of 15 minutes.  One of those necessary evils in life.

Best of luck in choosing....you may want to consult with all three and find the one that you are most comfortable / confident in...it's your choice.

Joe-

[lori67]

I had a neurotologist who has a specific neurosurgeon he works with on all his cases.  I saw him prior to the surgery to discuss things and go over the surgery plans.  Then I did all my post op follow ups with the neurotologist.  I only saw the neurosurgeon again when I ran into him on the elevator at the hospital, and was told I didn't need to see him again unless I had a problem that the neurotologist couldn't handle.  Copies of my medical reports get sent to the neurosurgeon for my file there.

Did you ever notice that no matter how many times you type the word "neurotologist" it never gets any easier? 
Lori

[jtd71465]

Maybe they want to save me money (imagine that).  My neurosurgeon takes my insurance while my "ENT" does not, I only could imagine what the cost to me would be if had also had to read my MRI results.

Joe-

[leapyrtwins]

Like most of the others who responded, I was referred by my ENT to a neurotologist.

My neurotologist only works with one neurosurgeon for surgeries and one radiation oncologist for GK.  My surgery was performed by both the neurotologist and the neurosurgeon, but all the follow up has been with the neurotologist.

You know, now that you mention it Lori, neurotologist IS a hard word to type.  Maybe I should just refer to mine as "my ear guy" 

[elderbirds]

Thanks everyone!!  I went ahead and faxed my info to the neurosurgery dept. to consult one of the neurosurgeons as well.  The impression I got from the neurotologist was that he worked with 3 different neurosurgeons, but that he was "the main guy".  I just wanted to make sure they were in agreement of everything BEFORE I was on the table.  (I'm a little anal that way!). I even questioned him about the anesthesiologist!  Just my way of keeping some control.
Hope

[OTO]

Usually the neuro-otologist and the neurosurgeon will do the surgery together.   They each might have particular skill or experience in exposing and/or excising the AN from the nerve.    Where I went for my surgery, my primary point of contact was the neuro-otologist.   I only saw the neuro-surgeon the day before for about an hour and he visited my in the ICU after surgery.  My follow-ups were with the neuro-otologist and my local ENT.

[lori67]

I was told that the "ear guy" does anything outside the Dura (covering of the brain) and the neurosurgeon does anything inside.  If you read through my surgical report, it certainly sounded like a tag-team match.