Looking for GK info from Northwestern MH in Chicago

[Ed]

Hi, just getting going here...I'm leaning towards GK at Northwestern MH in Chicago.
but it makes me nervous that I don't see much information regarding Northwestern - or find much recently thru the search option.

Anyone have experience with NMH and/or Dr. Chandler outcomes they'd care to share??

thanks, Ed

[leapyrtwins]

Ed -

there's a great group that treats ANs, Ear Institute of Chicago  (www.chicagoear.com)  They are listed on the ANA's physician list and they do GK @ Alexian Brothers Medical Center in EGV and surgeries @ Hinsdale Hospital.  I really don't know anything about NWMH in Chicago, but 2 of the docs @ Chicago Ear (Wiet & Battista) teach at Northwestern University.  They also are involved with training other docs to treat ANs.  In additional, Dr. Wiet is on the medical advisory board of the ANA and will be hosting the 2009 ANA Symposium in Chicago.

Dr. Battista is my doctor - very nice guy - he did my AN surgery on 5/31/07 and my recent BAHA surgery (3/4/08).  I can't say enough good things about him or the practice. 

If you want more info about my experience, you can check out the posts on this site or PM me.

Jan

 

[ppearl214]

Hi Ed. I just wanted to give you a "welcome" and hope you are finding the info you seek... many here glad to help and share experiences.....hate to see you here but.... glad to see you here as well.

Again, welcome,
Phyl

[Ed]

Hi, Thanks for the welcome and reply. 

I was pretty much set on Northwestern, but started second guessing myself after not seeing much mention of if on this forum.

Next step...I'll see if the Ear Institute is covered under my insurance. 

I guess no matter how things turn out, there might always be... 'I wish I would have...'

thanks again, Ed

[leapyrtwins]

I guess no matter how things turn out, there might always be... 'I wish I would have...'

Hopefully not.  IMO, you want to get to the point where you have done enough research to feel comfortable with, and confident in, both your decision and your doctors.  No one can predict any treatment outcome, but second guessing is pretty counter-productive.  Some on this forum are dealing with lasting side-effects, some are not; but no one could guarantee us anything 100%.

Forgot to mention in my first post, that Wiet & Battista do GK with Dr. Patrick Sweeney, a radiation oncologist; he's on staff at Alexian.  If you're checking out your insurance coverage, you may want to see if he's covered also.

Good luck and keep us posted,

Jan

[PatSal]

Hi, this is my first post. I had GK at the Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and NeuroSearch (CINN) on Dec 4, 07.  The people there were great.  I researched the three places that did GK procedures. Alexian Brother Hospital had the newest machine; but they had the least experience as they just started doing the procedure when they got their machine. I had previously seen Dr. Leonard Cerullo at CINN when I was first diagnosed with my AN and CINN's machine had been purchased recently. (I believe it was in 2006) Dr Cerullo believes in both GK and microsurgery, something hard to find in a neurosurgeon. Dr. Cerullo agreed with the neurosurgeon I had seen at Mayo Clinic - that I should have GK and not microsurgery.  Dr. Cerullo; however, no longer does the GK, only the micorsurgery.  Dr. Edward Mkrdichian was the neurosurgeon involved.  Dr. Cerullo 's colleague has been doing GK for many years.  CINN does two to three a day.  Your third choice is Northwestern which has the oldest of the three machines. My neurologist wanted me to see Dr. Richard Wiet of the Ear Institute who had only just started doing GK but also does microsurgery.  From the "Acoustic Neuroma Association Notes" of Setpember 2007, I read that Dr. Wiet felt that "patients who complain of dizziness or balance disturbances" "May not be optimal candidates for radiosurgery".  As I have a balance problem, I could see no point in seeing Dr. Wiet. I really did not want surgery.  My GK went through with no problems.  CINN is a small hospital, and in my opinion, I received more attention there than I would of in a larger hospital. 

[Frank A]

 I had GK at NMH for my AN (1.2cm X 1.6 cm) 1 1/2 years ago with Dr. Robert Levy.  He has done over 200 AN's.  He is also a Nuerosurgeon, and does surgical removal of AN's as well.  I felt very comfortable with his opinion, and that it was not biased like another AN specialist I had visited.  The treatment, and NMH were both excellent.  Post GK, the tumor has shown a slight decrease in size, and a vey dark spot in the center.  My hearing is about the same as before GK, and I have no other symptoms other than tinnitus, which was there pre-op.  I just turned 60, play softball, golf, and workout without any problems.  I also know two other people that have had GK with excellent results with Levy at Northwestern.
Good Luck with your decision.