ANA Discussion Forum
General Category => AN Issues => Topic started by: barber on September 12, 2014, 04:49:10 pm
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I'm new on here but I have stalked this forum for some time. My story is briefly...
Right-sided hearing loss led to MRI, diagnosed with 2.7cm AN
Retro-Sigmoid Surgery three months later for attempted removal except the facial nerve was all over the tumor. Intra-operative diagnosis of Facial Schwannoma minimal "de-bulking" was performed secondary to the extensive involvement with the facial nerve.
Difficult post op course included CSF leak, migraines, etc.
Follow-up MRI three months after surgery (6 months from initial diagnosis) shows enlargement to 3.3 cm.
Now I'm confronted with the possibility of repeat surgery, this time trans-lab and more aggressive debulking or removal with know facial nerve issues.
So anyone have both surgeries... as if one was not enough?
Thanks
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Hi barber and welcome to this forum .....
So sorry you are dealing with the thought of a second surgery. I can identify .....
My first AN surgery was via retrosigmoid approach. However, I was told the tumor was entirely removed so I was very dismayed when three years later it was deemed the "residual scar tissue" showing on the MRIs actually grew into a regrown tumor.
It was removed a second time via translabyrinthine approach. I had no facial involvement, other than mild facial weakness for a couple of weeks ..... no headaches.
When one is in a regrowth situation, you want the most experienced surgeons you can find. Therefore, I chose wisely for that second surgery and had a positive outcome. Because I knew the translab would cause total deafness in my AN ear, I had my Oticon Medical Ponto Pro abutment placed at the same time. I love my bone-anchored hearing device.
Many thoughts and prayers for a successful second surgery.
Clarice
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I had both preformed as well 3 days apart, mine was due to an artery running through the tumor. They hit it during surgery and had to have a transfusion. Luckily the artery just went to the tumor; however, they had to preform the second surgery to remove the rest of the tumor. 5% left and its been exactly one month and a day since the surgery.