ANA Discussion Forum

Pre-Treatment Options => Pre-Treatment Options => Topic started by: rubato456 on April 17, 2007, 11:01:32 pm

Title: 2MM AN is this for real?
Post by: rubato456 on April 17, 2007, 11:01:32 pm
My husband is 46 yrs old. he had a fairly bad episode of dizziness after a short viral illness last year. now he has had another bout of dizziness & nausea that has lasted about 3 wks. internist sent him for an mri w/ contrast and it came back they suspect a 2mm schwannoma in the auditory center of his brain...which i believe it what is called an accoustic neuroma. we are pretty upset about this diagnosis....could it be a mistake? is the mri ever wrong...could this be an artifact...of some kind?? thanks so much. we are in dallas , tx any good neurosurgeons/ent doctors to recommend? could it be benign paroxysmal postitional veritgo instead??

thanks so much
Title: Re: 2MM AN is this for real?
Post by: Joef on April 18, 2007, 07:29:09 am
2mm .. is very small ... in fact, it would be the smallest I've heard of ... and "most" doctors would wait and see what it does (if it even is an AN)... (discliamer: I'm not a doctor!)

are you sure its not 2 cm (Centimeters) ? have you seen the MRI .. 2 mm would hardly be seen .. but 2 cm would be a golf ball size...
Title: Re: 2MM AN is this for real?
Post by: rubato456 on April 18, 2007, 07:39:41 am
thanks so much for your reply!! we have not yet seen the mri but i did ask...it's 2 mm not 2 cm...and he confirmed this to me over the phone. i would think wait and see would be the best thing because from what i've read the surgeries carry a significant risk of complications.....
Title: Re: 2MM AN is this for real?
Post by: Ronnie on April 19, 2007, 10:45:55 pm
I also was diagnosed with a small AN, 2.5 mm, after a bout with pneumonia.  I experienced terrible dizziness and partial loss of hearing with ongoing tinnitus. I have been going for the past few weeks for vestibular therapy for the dizziness which is now starting to ease up.  I am also a watcher and will have a repeat MRI in August.
Title: Re: 2MM AN is this for real?
Post by: ppearl214 on April 20, 2007, 02:28:14 pm
2mm .. is very small ... in fact, it would be the smallest I've heard of ... and "most" doctors would wait and see what it does (if it even is an AN)... (discliamer: I'm not a doctor!)

are you sure its not 2 cm (Centimeters) ? have you seen the MRI .. 2 mm would hardly be seen .. but 2 cm would be a golf ball size...

smallest I have heard too.... typcially non-symptomatic (typically, that is... but not always).  If 2mm or 3mm is the true size, have all options, including radiosurgery and watch/wait been weight out?

wish mine had been 2mm at time of discovery  :'(

Phyl
Title: Re: 2MM AN is this for real?
Post by: vcschaub on April 20, 2007, 02:43:39 pm
My an was 3mm when it was first discovered. I had terrible balance and dizziness and ear fullness. Small ANs can cause major symptoms depending on where they are growing, just as large ones sometimes have no symptoms. I hope this helps.
Title: Re: 2MM AN is this for real?
Post by: Boppie on April 20, 2007, 06:12:44 pm
There are very good confirming tests for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. 

A small AN is not a threat but you will want the doctor to watch its status. Also, a small AN can cause symptoms that mimic meunieres and BPPV.
Title: Re: 2MM AN is this for real?
Post by: Boppie on April 20, 2007, 06:16:50 pm
An excellent Baylor Group surgeon in your area is Dr. Issacson (check that spelling).  He was in Houston as an intern when I had my AN removed.  He works with an experienced team.  Someone on this forum had this team for their AN earlier this year.  Seach "Doctors in Dallas" on this forum.
Title: Re: 2MM AN is this for real?
Post by: rubato456 on April 23, 2007, 05:02:33 pm
wow! thanks everybody for your replies! much appreciated!!
Title: Re: 2MM AN is this for real?
Post by: Mark H on April 23, 2007, 08:54:10 pm
I've got 2mm ones on both sides. Diagnosed last year, and this year's MRI showed no significant change. As long as they stay small and don't bother me too much (except for the tinnitus and light-headedness) I'm very happy to leave them alone. The tumors in my neck will probably need attention in the future though.  ;D
Mark
Title: Re: 2MM AN is this for real?
Post by: grams 11 on May 01, 2007, 04:13:34 pm
HI TO YOU ALL.AND SHE HAD NEVER HAD PATIENT WITH ONE BEFORE SO WASNT FAMILIAR WITH IT,      I JUST HAD MRI DONE ABOUT 3 WKS. AGO, HAVE TOTAL LOSS OF HEARING IN RIGHT EAR, DR, SAYS THE NEUROMA PRESSES ON THE NERVE ENDINGS AND DAMANGED THEM,  THE DR, TOLD ME I HAVE A NEUROMA , AND I HAVE TO GO TO SUNNY BROOK HOSP. NOT SURE WHAT TESTS I HAVE TO HAVE THERE, SOUNDS LIKES ITS SMALL AS MY FAMILY DR, TOLD ME TODAY, ITS ABOUT 4 MM.    ANY HELP IS APPRECIATED , IM NEW HERE ON THIS FORUMN  ,THANKS        JOAN
Title: Re: 2MM AN is this for real?
Post by: jtd71465 on May 01, 2007, 05:27:45 pm
Joan-

Where are you located?

Joe-
Title: Re: 2MM AN is this for real?
Post by: ppearl214 on May 14, 2007, 09:20:55 am
HI TO YOU ALL.AND SHE HAD NEVER HAD PATIENT WITH ONE BEFORE SO WASNT FAMILIAR WITH IT,      I JUST HAD MRI DONE ABOUT 3 WKS. AGO, HAVE TOTAL LOSS OF HEARING IN RIGHT EAR, DR, SAYS THE NEUROMA PRESSES ON THE NERVE ENDINGS AND DAMANGED THEM,  THE DR, TOLD ME I HAVE A NEUROMA , AND I HAVE TO GO TO SUNNY BROOK HOSP. NOT SURE WHAT TESTS I HAVE TO HAVE THERE, SOUNDS LIKES ITS SMALL AS MY FAMILY DR, TOLD ME TODAY, ITS ABOUT 4 MM.    ANY HELP IS APPRECIATED , IM NEW HERE ON THIS FORUMN  ,THANKS        JOAN

Hi Joan and welcome! I'm glad you found us and we are all here to help.  Did the dr state (from the MRI results) that it's an "acoustic" neuroma or a "facial" neuroma or what kind of neuroma?  If you have a copy of the written MRI report (suggestion would be to make sure you always have a copy of the written report and films as you may have to share them with other docs during your neuroma journey)., the report should note what kind.  Also, as Joe noted, where are you located?

We are here to help and yes, based on what you have shared thus far, your's is VERY small in comparison to many that participate on this website.  It sounds like you have time to really research things out.  The doctor may be sending you for tests, such as hearing test, another scan, etc. I'm really not sure, but please make sure you ask every single question you can.  During a neuroma journey, no question is stupid or out of line or ..... it is your (our) health and we ask all we can to make sure we are the best informed patients we can be.

Hang in there... and again... welcome.  We here for you.
Phyl
Title: Re: 2MM AN is this for real?
Post by: tsl on May 16, 2007, 11:14:02 am
I know that some folks with dizziness problems take a low dose of valium that seems to help. 
Title: Re: 2MM AN is this for real?
Post by: grams 11 on May 31, 2007, 01:47:53 pm
Joan-

Where are you located?

Joe                   im living just ouside of toronto, and going to see specialist in sunnybrook hosp, not till sept .tho . im not too worried as of yet where its so small, but i have no hearing in right ear , and balance problems ,, thanks      joan
Title: Re: 2MM AN is this for real?
Post by: grams 11 on May 31, 2007, 02:03:45 pm
HI TO YOU ALL.AND SHE HAD NEVER HAD PATIENT WITH ONE BEFORE SO WASNT FAMILIAR WITH IT,      I JUST HAD MRI DONE ABOUT 3 WKS. AGO, HAVE TOTAL LOSS OF HEARING IN RIGHT EAR, DR, SAYS THE NEUROMA PRESSES ON THE NERVE ENDINGS AND DAMANGED THEM,  THE DR, TOLD ME I HAVE A NEUROMA , AND I HAVE TO GO TO SUNNY BROOK HOSP. NOT SURE WHAT TESTS I HAVE TO HAVE THERE, SOUNDS LIKES ITS SMALL AS MY FAMILY DR, TOLD ME TODAY, ITS ABOUT 4 MM.    ANY HELP IS APPRECIATED , IM NEW HERE ON THIS FORUMN  ,THANKS        JOAN

Hi Joan and welcome! I'm glad you found us and we are all here to help.  Did the dr state (from the MRI results) that it's an "acoustic" neuroma or a "facial" neuroma or what kind of neuroma?  If you have a copy of the written MRI report (suggestion would be to make sure you always have a copy of the written report and films as you may have to share them with other docs during your neuroma journey)., the report should note what kind.  Also, as Joe noted, where are you located?

We are here to help and yes, based on what you have shared thus far, your's is VERY small in comparison to many that participate on this website.  It sounds like you have time to really research things out.  The doctor may be sending you for tests, such as hearing test, another scan, etc. I'm really not sure, but please make sure you ask every single question you can.  During a neuroma journey, no question is stupid or out of line or ..... it is your (our) health and we ask all we can to make sure we are the best informed patients we can be.

      thanks for advice , yes its a acustic neuroma , pressing on nerves in 8th ventricle   .  ill keep in touch .  i dont understand much about this as of yet , untill i see dr, in sept, for another hearing test ,and other test ,not sure what .            joan
Title: Re: 2MM AN is this for real?
Post by: cindysip on June 07, 2007, 08:04:37 pm
When my AN was discovered in Jan it was 2mm...so yes this is for real. My diagnosis came after symptoms of vertigo which was then followed by imbalance issues. That was the one time I wished I had failed a test (BPPV)...I also have tinnitus and mild hearing loss of high pitch sounds. From what I have read the little ones can cause symptoms...something to be thankful for.

Next week it's MRI take two. My first MRI was done is a small center. The doctor wants this one done in his hospital (NYU). In the past year I have had MRI'S for other reasons and I have definitely learned an important lesson. The larger hospitals have much better equipment and provide much more of an accurate diagnosis. Right now I am awaiting the diagnoses of three other tumors...sure wish I knew why I am growing these things  ??? The first MRI spotted only one of the three and ironically it was the smallest in size. My doctor supports the "wait & watch" mode. He told me that he had over 40 patients waiting...and he'd operated on 4 that very week.

Cindy
Title: Re: 2MM AN is this for real?
Post by: Dana on July 04, 2007, 04:06:25 pm
Ditto on what Phyl said to AT LEAST get a photocopy of the radiologist's MRI report every time, and it's really best to get copies of the most important films.  What I learned was that one can get a CD that has all the films and the software program that lets you explore them.

The CD makes it easier to transport.  I think any neurosurgical facility can copy them into their own computer system, and give the CD back to you.  The MRI folks charged me $12 to make the CD.

I've just started to explore the films, and of course not too much is clear to me.... neither in the films I've been able to access nor how to navigate the software itself to SEE the films!  But I'm getting there.

Does anyone know; do the films come out "flipped" sideways -- that is, an AN on the right would appear to be on the left?

Dana