For how long after surgery do your docs recommend follow up scans?

[Cynaburst]

I am just about 9 years out from retrosigmoid surgery for a 3 cm. AN.  I also had pre-surgical hydrocephalus and have a VP shunt.  About a year after my AN surgery, I got a pacemaker/defibrillator for an unrelated heart condition, so I can only have follow up CTs now.

My last CT scan was not quite 2 years ago.

I was wondering what other people do about scans this far out.  Do you still get them at all?  Do you get them every 5 years or so?  What are the recommendations?

[Mark241]

I think 2 years sounds about right, my docs mri me abiut every two, unless I start to show symptoms.

[CHD63]

I think there are many variables that factor in for how often/long MRIs will continue.  GK/CK/radiation patients have a different protocol than post-surgical patients.  Even within those there are other situations that dictate frequency ..... complete or incomplete removal, size of tumor, trauma to facial nerve, etc.

I had retrosigmoid surgery 3 years ago next February and I am still on yearly MRIs.  My doctor said the evaluation of each MRI will determine when the next one will be.  At the last MRI (February, 2010) there was still a small place of enhancement that could either be a fragment of tumor or scar tissue so it is being watched for any change.

Just my thoughts.

Clarice

[Kathleen_Mc]

Seems different Doc's have different opinions.
I did not have any follow up in this reguard until about 8 years post op when I was having other health issues.....and low and behold I had regrowth at the orginal site! My treating doc. did not specialise in AN's, his speciality was movement disorders and basically once I went to the surgeon that was that from him. My sergeon felt he had removed the entire tumor and did not see need for follow up of any kind.
Speak with your doc's, I think if they believe the entire tumor was removed there should still be MRI's done in follow up.
Kathleen

[cecile k]

My neurosurgeon likes to have the area scanned regularly...had MRIs post op at year one, year two, year four, year six, year nine and now am allowed to wait four years before the next one.

cecile

[Jim Scott]

Cynaburst ~

I had AN debulking surgery in June, 2006, followed by FSR in September/October, 2006.  No complications.  I underwent an MRI at 6 months 12 months and 24 months post-op.  The last (2008) showed necrosis and some minor shrinkage. The fact that I have no symptoms (and financial considerations) have prevented me from having another MRI scan.  My neurosurgeon, a very AN-experienced, conservative doctor, has not advised me have a 'fresh' MRI, so I assume there is no real urgency to do so, although I hope to have one in 2011.  If not, I'm not concerned and of course, I'm very aware should any symptoms appear.  So far, none.  I feel great and my AN experience, much like my youth, is becoming a somewhat distant memory. 

Jim

[cin605]

I am w/ Clarice and go yearly for audioworkup and MRI...I have enhancement that is stable...scar tissue..or tumor theyr eally can not tel unless it starts expanding.

[leapyrtwins]

My neurotologist recommends annual MRIs for the first 5 years and then every couple of years after that.

Jan