2MM AN is this for real?

[rubato456]

My husband is 46 yrs old. he had a fairly bad episode of dizziness after a short viral illness last year. now he has had another bout of dizziness & nausea that has lasted about 3 wks. internist sent him for an mri w/ contrast and it came back they suspect a 2mm schwannoma in the auditory center of his brain...which i believe it what is called an accoustic neuroma. we are pretty upset about this diagnosis....could it be a mistake? is the mri ever wrong...could this be an artifact...of some kind?? thanks so much. we are in dallas , tx any good neurosurgeons/ent doctors to recommend? could it be benign paroxysmal postitional veritgo instead??

thanks so much

[Joef]

2mm .. is very small ... in fact, it would be the smallest I've heard of ... and "most" doctors would wait and see what it does (if it even is an AN)... (discliamer: I'm not a doctor!)

are you sure its not 2 cm (Centimeters) ? have you seen the MRI .. 2 mm would hardly be seen .. but 2 cm would be a golf ball size...

[rubato456]

thanks so much for your reply!! we have not yet seen the mri but i did ask...it's 2 mm not 2 cm...and he confirmed this to me over the phone. i would think wait and see would be the best thing because from what i've read the surgeries carry a significant risk of complications.....

[Ronnie]

I also was diagnosed with a small AN, 2.5 mm, after a bout with pneumonia.  I experienced terrible dizziness and partial loss of hearing with ongoing tinnitus. I have been going for the past few weeks for vestibular therapy for the dizziness which is now starting to ease up.  I am also a watcher and will have a repeat MRI in August.

[ppearl214]

2mm .. is very small ... in fact, it would be the smallest I've heard of ... and "most" doctors would wait and see what it does (if it even is an AN)... (discliamer: I'm not a doctor!)

are you sure its not 2 cm (Centimeters) ? have you seen the MRI .. 2 mm would hardly be seen .. but 2 cm would be a golf ball size...

smallest I have heard too.... typcially non-symptomatic (typically, that is... but not always).  If 2mm or 3mm is the true size, have all options, including radiosurgery and watch/wait been weight out?

wish mine had been 2mm at time of discovery 

Phyl

[vcschaub]

My an was 3mm when it was first discovered. I had terrible balance and dizziness and ear fullness. Small ANs can cause major symptoms depending on where they are growing, just as large ones sometimes have no symptoms. I hope this helps.

[Boppie]

There are very good confirming tests for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. 

A small AN is not a threat but you will want the doctor to watch its status. Also, a small AN can cause symptoms that mimic meunieres and BPPV.

[Boppie]

An excellent Baylor Group surgeon in your area is Dr. Issacson (check that spelling).  He was in Houston as an intern when I had my AN removed.  He works with an experienced team.  Someone on this forum had this team for their AN earlier this year.  Seach "Doctors in Dallas" on this forum.

[rubato456]

wow! thanks everybody for your replies! much appreciated!!

[Mark H]

I've got 2mm ones on both sides. Diagnosed last year, and this year's MRI showed no significant change. As long as they stay small and don't bother me too much (except for the tinnitus and light-headedness) I'm very happy to leave them alone. The tumors in my neck will probably need attention in the future though. 
Mark

[grams 11]

HI TO YOU ALL.AND SHE HAD NEVER HAD PATIENT WITH ONE BEFORE SO WASNT FAMILIAR WITH IT,      I JUST HAD MRI DONE ABOUT 3 WKS. AGO, HAVE TOTAL LOSS OF HEARING IN RIGHT EAR, DR, SAYS THE NEUROMA PRESSES ON THE NERVE ENDINGS AND DAMANGED THEM,  THE DR, TOLD ME I HAVE A NEUROMA , AND I HAVE TO GO TO SUNNY BROOK HOSP. NOT SURE WHAT TESTS I HAVE TO HAVE THERE, SOUNDS LIKES ITS SMALL AS MY FAMILY DR, TOLD ME TODAY, ITS ABOUT 4 MM.    ANY HELP IS APPRECIATED , IM NEW HERE ON THIS FORUMN  ,THANKS        JOAN

[jtd71465]

Joan-

Where are you located?

Joe-

[ppearl214]

HI TO YOU ALL.AND SHE HAD NEVER HAD PATIENT WITH ONE BEFORE SO WASNT FAMILIAR WITH IT,      I JUST HAD MRI DONE ABOUT 3 WKS. AGO, HAVE TOTAL LOSS OF HEARING IN RIGHT EAR, DR, SAYS THE NEUROMA PRESSES ON THE NERVE ENDINGS AND DAMANGED THEM,  THE DR, TOLD ME I HAVE A NEUROMA , AND I HAVE TO GO TO SUNNY BROOK HOSP. NOT SURE WHAT TESTS I HAVE TO HAVE THERE, SOUNDS LIKES ITS SMALL AS MY FAMILY DR, TOLD ME TODAY, ITS ABOUT 4 MM.    ANY HELP IS APPRECIATED , IM NEW HERE ON THIS FORUMN  ,THANKS        JOAN

Hi Joan and welcome! I'm glad you found us and we are all here to help.  Did the dr state (from the MRI results) that it's an "acoustic" neuroma or a "facial" neuroma or what kind of neuroma?  If you have a copy of the written MRI report (suggestion would be to make sure you always have a copy of the written report and films as you may have to share them with other docs during your neuroma journey)., the report should note what kind.  Also, as Joe noted, where are you located?

We are here to help and yes, based on what you have shared thus far, your's is VERY small in comparison to many that participate on this website.  It sounds like you have time to really research things out.  The doctor may be sending you for tests, such as hearing test, another scan, etc. I'm really not sure, but please make sure you ask every single question you can.  During a neuroma journey, no question is stupid or out of line or ..... it is your (our) health and we ask all we can to make sure we are the best informed patients we can be.

Hang in there... and again... welcome.  We here for you.
Phyl

[tsl]

I know that some folks with dizziness problems take a low dose of valium that seems to help. 

[grams 11]

Joan-

Where are you located?

Joe                   im living just ouside of toronto, and going to see specialist in sunnybrook hosp, not till sept .tho . im not too worried as of yet where its so small, but i have no hearing in right ear , and balance problems ,, thanks      joan