ANA Discussion Forum

General Category => Inquiries => Topic started by: crystallady on November 18, 2006, 03:35:33 pm

Title: What do you ask the neursurgeon on your first visit
Post by: crystallady on November 18, 2006, 03:35:33 pm

I have been recently diagnosed with a small AN in my right ear along with meningioma.  Can anyone please advise me with what I should ask the neurosurgeon on my first visit?

Title: Re: What do you ask the neursurgeon on your first visit
Post by: Captain Deb on November 18, 2006, 03:40:25 pm

The most important question is how many AN surgeries does he do per year.  Your outcome absolutely depends on the experience of the surgical team. Also ask if he does this surgery in tandem with another neurosurgeon or neuro-otologist.
Capt Deb

Title: Re: What do you ask the neursurgeon on your first visit
Post by: Derek on November 18, 2006, 06:14:46 pm

Hi there...

You describe your AN as 'small' therefore I am presuming that you have all of the treatment options available to you i.e. 'wait and watch; microsurgery and radiosurgery?

 If that is the case then carry out thorough research into those available options utilising the extremely useful threads and posts on this website in the first instance and ultimately you will decide which is the best form of treatment that is best for you and whether it accords with the professional advice that has been imparted to you.

Best Regards

Derek

Title: Re: What do you ask the neursurgeon on your first visit
Post by: Jeff on November 18, 2006, 11:37:02 pm

Hello,
You don't mention your age, but, if am reading your post correctly, see that you have been diagnosed with an AN and a meningioma. If this is true and you are under the age of 30, you may want to ask about Neurofibromatosis Type 2. I am pasting the diagnostic criteria here:
(http://www.advocurenf2.org/understandingnf2/table-46-1.gif)

I agree with others who have posted here. Spend some time conducting your own personal research and settle upon a course of treatment that is right for you.

Sorry that you have to deal with this,

Jeff

Title: Re: What do you ask the neursurgeon on your first visit
Post by: crystallady on November 19, 2006, 07:53:06 am

Hi Jeff,

I am 46 and will look into this - Neurofibromatosis.  My niece (age 23) has been diagnosed with schwannoma also. Thanks for your help.

Cindy

Title: Re: What do you ask the neursurgeon on your first visit
Post by: ppearl214 on November 19, 2006, 07:55:24 am

Hi Cindy:

I found a post originally created by Kate Besserman, that gives a very complete list of questions to ask any AN clinician.... please see this link, the 2nd post by Raydean, where she has republished the question list... this may help.

Hang in there!
Phyl

http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=628.0

Title: Re: What do you ask the neursurgeon on your first visit
Post by: Battyp on November 19, 2006, 02:13:12 pm

Hi Cindy,
  1) how many AN surgeries does the doctor do each year.  Specifically AN not just brain surgery.
  2) In the last 30 days how many of your patients had facial paralysis, permanent facial numbness, hearing loss
  3)  What is their opinion of facial nerve preservation and complete tumor removal
  4)  What types of surgery do they perform?  Translab, Retro, middle fossa, options for radiosurgery?

Hope that helps.  Let us know how things go!

Michelle