ANA Discussion Forum
Treatment Options => Microsurgical Options => Topic started by: acousticlady on October 13, 2011, 04:22:27 pm
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I would really appreciate input from those who have gone through translab surgery and who had a tumor of roughly my size (1.5 cm).
- What happened to your facial nerve immediately after the surgery, after 3 months, long-term?
- What happened to your balance immediately after the surgery, after 3 months, long-term?
- Did you experience headaches? What about down the road?
- Dry eye?
- Tinnitus?
- Any surprises or repercussions?
Did any of you have the surgery in the Boston area with Dr McKenna or Martuzza?
Thank you so much. I am overwhelmed with the decision to have surgery vs. radiation and would be very grateful for your input.
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Hi acousticlady and welcome to this forum .....
It is a frustrating time during the decision making process of an AN journey.
Drs. McKenna and Martuzza have excellent reputations for successful acoustic neuroma removals. Question: did they tell you that your only surgical option is translab? If so, what was their reasoning? If you still have most of your hearing, you might want to send your MRI and audiogram to other places for 2nd and/or 3rd opinions. If you have already lost the major portion of your hearing, translab would probably be the recommendation from other surgeons, as well.
At 1.5 cm you should have the option of radiation or surgery. Again, you may want to send your MRI and audiogram to several outstanding medical facilities that specialize in radiotherapy for acoustic neuromas.
Now to answer your questions. My original AN was 2.6 cm. Due to childhood exposure to massive doses of radiation to my head, I was not anxious to go the radiation route. My initial tumor was removed 3 1/2 years ago, via retrosigmoid approach. I maintained 20% of very usable hearing following that surgery. Because my earlier radiation had apparently wiped out the function of my non-AN side vestibular nerve, I had significant balance problems following the 2008 surgery. After many months of vestibular rehab, I was able to function nearly normally, with a few modifications (such as not trying to walk in the dark by myself, staying close to solid surfaces where possible when walking, etc.). I developed tinnitus following that surgery. No facial involvement. Some double vision for about two weeks. No headaches. No dry eye.
Three years later, it was determined my tumor was rapidly growing back again (a very rare occurrence ..... only happens in 5 to 9% of cases following surgical removal). Therefore, this past May I had a second acoustic neuroma surgery via translabyrinthine approach. I had very mild facial weakness for a few weeks (only I could really tell). No facial issues now at 5 months post-op. My balance was a non-issue since I had already compensated/adjusted following first surgery ..... no better, no worse. No headaches post-op nor now. Some dry eye for a couple of months, easily taken care of with Celluvisc drops at night. Tinnitus is still there, somewhat worse. No surprises or repercussions.
I am able to do everything I want to do. However, I am retired so do not have to go to work every day. I do a great deal of volunteer work with no problems. My husband and I travel a great deal without problem.
My first surgery was at Duke University in North Carolina and the second at House Ear Institute in California ..... both excellent facilities in the treatment of ANs.
Many thoughts and prayers as you walk through this difficult decision-making process. If you have not done so already, you should send for the free informational packets from the ANA. They will help you clarify your own thoughts and options. See: http://www.anausa.org/index.php/contact-us/free-ana-information-packet
Clarice
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Hi AcousticLady and welcome.
Ah, Drs Barker/McKenna have fabulous reputations here in Boston. Many of us here in Boston that have been treated by them.
This Sunday, if possible, there is a brunch of ANA forum users in Worcester, that many post-MGH (Barker/McKenna) patients will be attending.
http://www.anausa.org/smf/index.php?topic=14599.135 (http://www.anausa.org/smf/index.php?topic=14599.135)
This would be a perfect opportunity for you to meet, face to face, many of their post surgical patients to ask direct questions of their work, see first-hand how they are doing and do so in a light-hearted environment.
There is also an upcoming ANA Metro Boston Support group meeting that may be worth attending. Details can be found here:
http://www.anausa.org/smf/index.php?topic=16075.0 (http://www.anausa.org/smf/index.php?topic=16075.0)
Something to consider.
Again, welcome.
Phyl
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Hi and Welcome
I had a 1.6cm AN and had translab....no pain and no problems other then normal recovery time...nap, rest, excercise and eat well...my nerve was not damage, no eyelid problem, no dry eye, etc etc...now my doctor left some of the tumor on the nerve so he wouldnt damage the nerve...and if it ever starts to grow, we are looking at cyberknife...so all is good here...
JO
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My husband had translab March 18th, 2011 for a 1.5 cm tumor in left ear. At first he had a very tiny droop on the left side of his mouth and his left eye closed and blinked slower than the right but didn't have to use anything in it, and everything tasted sweet for a little while. He has never had a headache since though he did have them before surgery. All the symptoms resolved in about three months so that he was recovered enough to have double bypass surgery July 21st. He had his surgery at the Methodist Hospital in Memphis, Tn. Dr Jon Robinson was his neurosugeon. Good luck to you whatever you decide to do.