Regarding any and all procedures

[Jackie]

Posing this question to ALL of you who have had any type of procedure done for an Acoustic Neuroma: Prior to Surgery, Microsurgery, Or Radiosurgery, was a NEW MRI done to help the surgeon locate, and/or prepare for the most current assessment of your tumor, Or did they rely on the previous MRI??? I guess you could call this "the new survey". Your answers are greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks, Jackie

[leapyrtwins]

Jackie -

in my case no new MRI was done prior to my surgery; the surgeons worked with the original MRI.  It's probably because I had my MRI towards the end of April and my surgery on May 31st.  The docs probably figured my AN was pretty much the same, but ironically it wasn't.  It almost doubled in size from the time of the MRI until the time of surgery.  No one knows why; guess I'm just weird 

Jan

[Patch]

Hi Jackie,


          I had a new MRI and a CT scan for which they compared the two to pinpoint exactly when the AN was so when they put all of the info in the computer for my radiation treatments, it would all line up.


Mark

[OTO]

Jackie

My MRI was done in mid-Jan 07, and my middle fossa surgery done in late-May 07.  They did NOT do a new MRI prior to surgery.  OTO

[Kate B]

Jackie,
I was diagnosed in  early May and my surgery was at the end of November.
HEI used my  original Chicago MRI; however they did their own hearing test, blood work and preop tests.

My one unusual aspect in the story is that I first had my MRI done in an open MRI machine and it was not very clear.  It was redone a couple of weeks later in a closed machine.  I still remember that basket closing over my head as if it were yesterday.  Claustrophobic? ergh....I didn't think so. I remember just keeping my eyes closed.

Kate

[OMG16]

Jackie I noticed you are from the great Pacific Northwest.  Just about a month ago there was a blurb on the news regarding new 3D reconstructions they can do for brain tumors.  I believe there is also a new computer software program that helps map everything out and also guides the surgeon during surgery.  Maybe this is why they require an updated MRI.  I hope this is helpful.  16

[Syl]

Hi Jackie,

My surgery is scheduled for May 19, and a new MRI will be done two weeks before.


Syl

[Micky]

Gady Jackie,

I had my MRI in November last year and my operation at the end of January this year, They did not do a new MRI prior to surgery.

Mick

[Boppie]

Hearing was diminsihed to 35%.  I had one diagnostic MRI with contrast at the end of September.  My tumor was 2cm x 1.5mm  at that time.  I had Translab on December 15, same year.  No new MRI.  Tumor was well visualized and "just kissing the brain stem".  Speedy recovery.

[OMG16]

I almost forgot my son did not need a new MRI however he had just had another one scheduled before we decided on surgery.  So it was only about 5 weeks old.  16

[sgerrard]

I think all radiation patients will have a CT scan done just before treatment, and sometimes an MRI as well. The treatment planning software pretty much requires it. I had both the day before treatment.

Hmm, Jackie, I wonder what might have prompted you to ask this question? 

Steve

[Jim Scott]

Jackie:

My initial MRI scan - when the AN was discovered - was performed about a month prior to my surgery.  I had an MRI scan (with contrast) taken 48 hours prior to my retrosigmoid approach microsurgery (6/7/06).  The neurosurgeon insisted on it.  I appreciated his determination to use every resource at his disposal to ensure the chances for a good outcome (no complications).  It paid off.  I would think most surgeons would want a 'fresh' MRI to help them know what they're likely to encounter once they have opened up your skull as these tumors can grow quickly and, if they're depending on a months-old MRI, things could look a lot different by the time they perform the surgery.  Apparently, not all surgeons take this position.  I'm glad mine did and ordered an MRI just prior to my surgery.   

Jim

[petittrv]

My situation was different - my diagnosing MRI was within a month of the surgery due to brain compression and brainstem displacement so a second one wasn't needed. 

[amymeri]

Diagnosed March 8th and surgery April 14

I think radiation treatment would probably require a very UTD MRI

[Gennysmom]

Diagnosis 3/1/06 and surgery 7/5/06, Translab, and they used my original MRI.  Could this be the first case of an AN vanishing without treatment? That would be interesting!