Hi, WAB,
I am sorry your bride has to deal with AN but she is in luck because more than one neurosurgeon in New York removed hundreds of ANs and has the expertise. I would recommend visiting a few to learn more about the tumor and the situation your bride is in. Just about every major hospital in NY has a neurosurgeon dealing with AN. Here is a list:
DR. Sisti (Columbia Presbyterian) - does both micro- and radio- surgery. He does Gamma radiation with Dr. Isaacson and both are very good at explaining things. I would start with Dr. SIsti.
Dr. Golfinos at NYU does micro-, GK and FSR. He works with Dr. Roland, neurotologist and will refer you to him if necessary. He is also very good at explaining things.
Dr. Sen (Roosevelt) does micro- only but he removed huge tumors of all kinds and works with Dr. Constantino who is an otolaryngologist and a plastic surgeon. What is good about the team is that they give you a lot of information about the tumor, do not pressure you into treatment of any kind and not particularly prejudiced against radiation if indicated and/or possible.
There are two other teams I did not visit but came highly recommended: Dr. Steig at Cornell and Dr. Post at Mount Sinai. To my knowledge, they do only microsurgery but are very experienced.
I am not aware that CK (another type of radiation) is available in NY. You might have to travel out of state if you choose that. Quite a few people are very pleased with CK, so research that aslo.
Best of luck and keep us posted!
Eve