info on approach to use

[red]

Does anyone know a good place to find infor on the different approaches of surgery I would like to learn about the approaches before I go to the consult on friday so I know what to ask.  My husbands an is 1.3x.8 cm in the canal and on the mri it looked like an ice cream cone bulging out of the canal.  The ent said it was not pushing on the brainstem.  I guess they cosider all this when choosing an approach.  what are the other factors that they look at?
red

[Obita]

Hi Red:

Try this: http://www.anarchive.org/approaches.htm

Best of luck to you!!  Kathy

[Battyp]

Hi red,
  Did you request the informational phamplets from this site?  They are very helpful.  Also, the doctors look at size, location, symptoms.
you have radiosurgery options and microsurgical options.

[red]

Thanks for helping me find information on the different approaches.  I will request the pamphlets and the link kathy was a good one appreciate all the help!

[rosenbarn]

Hubby and I are both "Newbies"....I'm posting for my husband right now,  He's turning 30 this year, no health/hearing/mental issues at all (except allergies) and he was diagnosed with an AN a month ago (failed a hearing test at work and had sudden ringing and hearing loss within a few days of his test!) and I've been researching sites.  I've found a really good source of information at:

http://www.mayfieldclinic.com/PE-Acoustic.htm

and goes into detail about the procedure, effects, treatment, expectations, etc.  We look forward to our membership of this forum....looks like alot of helpful people out here!! 

[red]

Thanks rosenbarn_
I too am posting for my husband Thanks for the info.  How large is your husbands tumor.   My hubby just thought he had hearing loss do to his work. (we own a tire store)  Then he started have balance and headache issues  couldn't fix it but the MRI did!  Good look with your journey!

[Battyp]

red when they tell your husband that headaches are not a by product of an AN don't believe them! 

rosebarn and red welcome and don't hestitate to ask any questions you might have.  There are quite a few vetrans on here who are more than willing to share their knowledge. 

My prayers and wishes are with your families right now!

[rosenbarn]

Thank you for the warm welcomes!  To Red:  my husband's is .6cm.  Still very small, the specialist said, but he is going to go ahead and have surgery to remove it.  My husband feels that since it's has already caused him problems even  being this small (high-low frequency hearing loss, some dizziness now and then, and I don't know if it has anything to do with it or not, but he has nosebleeds from time to time), he'll likely have bigger problems once it grows a little more.  Does it make sense to anybody, or does it sound like he may be jumping the gun??  He's set to have a pre-procedure sometime soon. 

[Kathleen_Mc]

rosenbarn: It makes sense to me to have it out before it causes more troubles and yet there will be a possiblity of instant troubles depending on the outcome of the surgery itself (if the nerves for hearing and balance are sacraficed to get it out) vs having these things happen gradually (eventually, if growth continues, will loose all hearng and get balance issues depending on the way in which it grows).
Some would argue that it may never grow again or grow large enough to ever be a problem however there is the theroy if it did grow it will continue.
I think the decision is a very personal one and if he wants it out he's made the right decision.
I don't think the nosebleeds are related but then again.....you never know.
Kathleen

[red]

Rosenbarn-
Thats interesting that you said nosebleeds.  My husband has had to have his nose cuaterized (sp?) twice!  We just thought it was the dry weather.  Who knows maybe it is!

[rosenbarn]

My husband think's it's all unrelated, but my mother is a nurse, and she's always told us to make notes, assume and then ask.  You'd be amazed what underlying things could surface if you ask the right question.  I've had another thought as well since he's always (and I mean always) had allergy problems.  He's taken allergy medicines for it most of his life, had constant ear infections even through adulthood.  I've been meaning to ask if it's possible that AN is more common in those with allergies or ear infections???  Have any of you in this thread had or have any of this?   

[Gennysmom]

I never had a nosebleed until about 8 years ago, and now have problems with them like crazy.  Had another one today.  Hadn't thought of asking about that, now that I think of it....I don't know why it didn't occur to me to ask.  I just assume it's the dry weather and aging thinning skin.

[rosenbarn]

I hope they get better for you!  Could be the dry weather, my husband thinks the same thing.  Your nose is a closer neighbor to your ears than you think!  Good luck!  BTW, do you have allergies that could provoke the nosebleeds??  Take care!