ANA Discussion Forum
Treatment Options => Microsurgical Options => Topic started by: annamaria on September 08, 2010, 04:46:32 pm
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An article ...
AnnaMaria
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Sharon Greengold – PR Jay Geer
St. Vincent Medical Center MGA, Inc.
(213) 484-5593 (562) 467-2020, ext 222/232
(213) 265-6618 jay@millergeer.com
SharonGreengold@DOCHS.org
September 8, 2010
UTAH MOM OF FIVE COMES THROUGH BRAIN SURGERY WITH HER HEARING AND HER SMILE
St. Vincent Medical Center in L.A. Uses New Brain Tumor “Vacuumâ€
LOS ANGELES – Wendy Warr of Woodland Hills, Utah celebrated her 41st birthday recently with a big smile. She underwent brain surgery at St. Vincent Medical Center in Los Angeles on July 23 using a new tumor removal device in the skilled hands of neurosurgeon Marc Schwartz, MD, of House Neurosurgical Associates, and neurotologist Rick Friedman, MD, of House Clinic.
“As soon as I woke up from the surgery, the dread was over,†Warr said. “They asked me to smile and I could hear them. I could smile. I could feel it,†she said. Before Warr decided to go to Los Angeles for the removal of an acoustic neuroma, a noncancerous (benign) slow growing tumor in her inner ear, she consulted surgeons in Utah who warned her about possible post-surgical hearing loss and facial droop.
Warr went online in search of a second opinion and found the House Clinic and Dr. Schwartz, a respected expert in the removal of acoustic neuromas. Dr. Schwartz uses a new minimally invasive tool called the NICO Myriad™, the first automated and non-heat-producing tumor removal device that uses a patented variable aspiration technique to “vacuum†tissue as it carefully cuts and saves it to a collection chamber for laboratory evaluation.
“With the Myriad, I’m able to remove tumors resting very close to critical structures, such as the facial and cochlear nerves, through the smallest of openings,†said Dr. Schwartz. “It has allowed me to increase the success of function-preserving surgery and to confidently attack larger tumors through small exposures. This offers much better opportunities for faster and easier recovery times for the patient because surgery time is reduced and there is less trauma during the procedure.†Dr. Schwartz performs approximately 200 surgical removals of acoustic neuromas annually.
St. Vincent Medical Center is the first hospital in Los Angeles to purchase the new minimally invasive neurosurgical medical device, which offers a high degree of surgical precision and opportunities for significantly reducing operating room time. Fewer hours in surgery can help avoid surgeon fatigue and minimize the number of hours a patient needs to be anaesthetized, reducing overall risk, recovery time, and procedure costs. The Myriad device’s slender design and malleable tip allows for superior control in cases requiring delicate tissue shaving or rapid tumor removal, all through foot pedal operation controlled by the physician and without multiple insertions of different devices. The device’s unique aspiration technology minimizes the potential to pull or draw in unwanted surrounding tissue to the cutting area, which could cause unnecessary and sometimes dangerous trauma to the brain.
Warr came home to Utah last week after a week away from her five children, two daughters and three sons. Her husband, eldest daughter and mother traveled with her to Los Angeles as added support during the surgery and brief recovery time. Warr sings, dances and choreographs and is active in church and volunteer activities in the Woodland Hills area. For more information about St. Vincent Medical Center or the NICO Myriad system, visit www.StVincentMedicalCenter.com or www.niconeuro.com.
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Wow! VERY cool 8)
Wonder how big her AN was.
Also wonder if there are any size or location limits on this "vacuum".
Thanks for posting this, annamaria.
Jan
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I recall reading about this thing before I had radiation. They use one at the University of Pittsburgh for other types of brain tumors, but not on ANs - at least they weren't using it for that when I read about it. Wouldn't it be cool if this becomes commonplace?
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I found this online...looks like her email address is here~
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=12180321
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It is always exciting to know that huge advances are being made in the treatment of ANs ...... and this being done at HEI lends extreme credibility to it!
Thanks for sharing the article.
Clarice
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AnnaMaria ~
Thank you so much for posting this. Very interesting and exciting news from HEI on new advances in AN surgery. :)
Jim
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Jan - Wendy wrote to me today - fyi - her tumor was 14mm X 11mm at time of surgery. She was happy to hear that her news was discussed on this forum!
Nancy
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Nancy -
thanks for the info.
Found these two quotes from the article to be interesting/puzzling:
"It's hard to believe that only five weeks after having the tumor removed, Wendy Warr was back at her Woodland Hills home" and I'm wondering why she didn't get back home for five weeks ???
"remove a benign tumor in Wendy's internal auditory canal. The growth was also pointing down toward her brain stem." and I'm wondering if the tumor pointing down toward the brain stem is key in whether or not this vacuum can be used ???
I'd love to know what other docs who treat ANs think of this vacuum, and whether it will become the norm in the future.
It would definitely change the way AN surgery is done.
Jan
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Wow, what exciting news regarding a minimally invasive new tool!!! Sure would love to know more about it!
Jackie
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Hi,
I am new to the forum. Thanks for uploading the story. I really hope it helps people get more informed about this incredible "micro" vacuum instrument they used on me. I know how undaunting it feels being diagnosed with these brain tumors. It helps making an informative decision on what road you will take with your care. I think it's the hardest decision but one I was so grateful I made!
To answer some of the questions posted I thought I'd tell you my story. :) I had a 1.4 cm. right acoustic neuroma removed via the middle fossa at House Ear Institute in Los Angeles, California. I had great hearing so I qualified for a hearing preservation surgery. I really did want to save my hearing and House has the highest percentages for saving the facial nerve so I went for it. I know the instrument they used, the NICO, enabled them to successfully remove the tumor without damaging vital structures. I am very grateful for brilliant surgeons Dr. Friedman and Dr. Shwartz.
My story dates back to December 8, 2006. An MRI showed an acoustic neuroma brain tumor measuring .8 cm or 8mm X 4mm which the Doctors missed here in Utah. On May 12 2010, I had an MRI for a TIA which showed tumor growth and an enlarging acoustic neuroma that now measured 1.4 cm or 14mm X 11mm. After much research on the internet, I found the Acoustic Neuroma Association with a medical directory of specialists in which Dr. Rick A. Friedman and Dr. Marc S. Schwartz were listed. I also found references to the House Clinic from acousticneuroma.org. House Ear Institute is in Los Angeles, California. I found that they specialize in hearing and facial preservation surgeries as well as the others. I decided to investigate it and contact them. Dr. Friedman called me back and asked me to send him my information. I then overnighted my MRI on a disc with the MRI report, audiology report and a personal history to him. I was pleased with his response and decided to go there for my surgery. I found that House is the leading center in the world that treat these brain tumors. On July 23rd, I had a 1.4 cm medium sized, acoustic neuroma brain tumor removed via the middle fossa surgical approach. This was a hearing preservation surgery. My Doctor's were absolutely incredible! The staff at St. Vincent Medical Center were so kind. We were so pleased with the outcome and so relieved. I was in the hospital for 6 days then I joined my husband, daughter and mother at the Seton Guest Center. It's on the campus of the hospital which was very convenient. I stayed at Seton for 4 days. We were there for a total of 12 days then we drove back home which was very interesting! ha! Talk about dizzy! The news broadcaster interviewed me when I was 5 weeks post-op.
The surgery I had was very successful!!! My tumor was located in the Internal Auditory Canal and out in the Cerebellopontine Angle. Prior to surgery I had a lot of headaches that exacerbated my migraines and episodes of vertigo. I tested with really good hearing before surgery however I did have a high pitch tinnitis. The audiogram did measure different than my left ear but still in the good hearing range. One week after surgery they performed a hearing test which still measured in the good hearing range. No eye problems anymore, My right eye didn't water for 5 weeks but now it does. No facial paralysis too.
Well, I just had my 12 week check up a week ago at House with Dr. Friedman and I am doing well and still healing. My hearing is still good. I am still adjusting to my balance center being removed on the right side but each day does get better. I still find myself off balance alot. I started Zumba classes last week which I hope helps. I do have post op headaches but they are getting better too. Fatigue is my friend but I hear that's pretty normal too.
thanks for sharing the article,
Wendy
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Wendy,
thanks for posting your story.
I agree that, for our own benefit as patients, we have to continually reseach advances in medical science.
Annamaria
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Hi Wendy!
Thanks for sharing your story! ;D Can I ask you why you were in the hospital so long? Six days seems like an awful long time these days...especially for what i have read regarding HEI...did you have other complications? That about how long I was in the hospital many moons ago and I had a 14 hour surgery and a stroke!! So happy medicine has come so far and others don't have to endure I have! :D
Just curious!
K ;D
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Wendy,
Thank you for sharing your story with us, we always love to hear about the advancements made in technology that then can benefit AN patients. A little part of me still wishes I went to HEI, but shoulda, woulda, coulda doesn't get me anywhere.
Congrats on your successful surgery and recovery, hopefully those Zumba classes help! (love Zumba)
Welcome to the forum!
Liz
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Hi, Wendy ~
Welcome to the ANA Discussion Forums and thanks for sharing and updating your positive experience at HEI. May your healing continue apace.
Jim
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Thanks for welcoming me to the forum Jim, Liz, K, and Annamaria! I have read all the posts and found it so comforting knowing I wasn't alone going through this.
K - I didn't have any major complications while I was in the hospital. I arrived early on Friday July 23rd and had my 6 hour surgery then went to the ICU. They moved me to a regular room the following day on Saturday night. They released me the following Wednesday night, the 28th. So I guess it was more like 5 1/2 days. I have systemic lupus erythematosus and am in remission but anytime I have surgery my body doesn't like it. Adjusting to them taking out my right balance center too kind of put my body in a tail spin on Tuesday but by that night my body came back around. Nothing too serious but Dr. Stefan wanted to keep me in another day to make sure I was okay.
Also, I wanted to ask if any of you have experienced post operative headaches? I've always suffered with migraine headaches. Also, having CNS vasculitis (lupus in the brain) for 6 years and chemotherapy, the headaches there were constant. So I am used to headaches. But I was wondering if any of you have experienced these new headaches I am having. All of the sudden it will feel like I've been hit with a "baseball bat" on the side of my head and send electric shock like pains down the tops of my arms. It doesn't last long but leaves me with a residual headache. I have been told it is the nerves regenerating and coming back as my side of my head has been numb. I am 13 weeks out. I've also been told it's trigeminal neuralgia?
thanks,
Wendy
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Wendy, welcome to our little club...you are something of a celebrity! :) I am a House alum myself and was please to hear they are still looking at new ways of zapping these buggers out of our head! That 5 1/2 days sounds right on par with what I did...I had middle fossa as well, with Schwartz/Brackmann. I am almost 11 months post op and still have a bit of hearing left, but I am gonna need some sort of hearing aid, as I can hear people talking, but not what they say specifically...I forget that term now....speech discrimination? Anyways, thank you for sharing your story! It's always neat to hear all the different stories that are out there! Take care!!
Jay
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:) Vaccuum up the brain booger... nifty idea. Sounds like some great HOUSEkeeping tool ...LOL :D
You know I am convinced I have a few cobwebs still left behind ... Hmm vaccuum the brain and clean it up a bit :D ;) ... Dr. Swartz is onto something there...
Seriously this IS a great article and success story. Thanks for the posting this story. It is always exciting when they come up with newer and better ways to keep an AN patient's smile ...yet remove the tumor.
DHM
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Wendy~
Thanks for answering my question - I'd rather be safe than sorry! ;) I hope that your balance is continuing to get better and better - sounds like it if you are doing Zumba (I tried that once and aside from offering comic relief to the class, it KILLED my knees!!)!! LOL!
FWIW, I had HORRIBLE headaches BEFORE I had surgery and then during the recovery period and then NONE now...I hope that this is the case for you!! I do think that the "electric shock" ones are pretty common...at least for me...but not TOO long!
K ;D
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Kudos to the HEI team. They are pretty amazing. I just celebrated my one year anniversary, feeling pretty darn great and what difference a year makes. I get the weird electric shock buzz in the head, but no headaches :). Hope you continue to heal.
Susie
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K,
How long was your recovery period when your headaches stopped? Also, did you experience extreme fatigue? Right now, I'm trying to find my "new normal" you know? :)
Thanks,
Wendy
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Thanks for the welcome and comments Susie, DHM and Jay.
Jay, that's great about being an HEI alumni too. 11 months post op! Wow! What type of experiences in your healing did you encounter? Any problems w/ headaches like I've explained? How long did it take to feel back to "normal"? Would like any feedback if you don't mind.
Wendy =)