Treatment Options > Microsurgical Options

Surgeon recommendations

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Mlamb:
Hi everyone. As I mentioned before, I am 41 and I had surgery almost 3 years ago to remove a 3cm trigeminal schwannoma at Columbia with Dr. Sisti. He was unable to remove much and left a very sizeable residual (2.8 cm)in the Meckel's Cave area. I had gamma knife April 2016 with Dr. Kondziolka. At my one year follow up my tumor was stable maybe even a tiny bit smaller. At 17 months post Gamma I started having increased sensory issues, tingling, numbness and my jawwas locking. I had another MRI which showed that the tumor appears much larger in all dimensions the largest being length at 3.4 cm. DR. K suggested I start gathering opinions from neurosurgeons in case things get worse and I need to have surgery. I met with Dr. Sen at NYU. I sent my scan to Dr. Schwartz at HOuse but I know he will be at UCSD. I am also planning on seeing DR. Keith Black at Cedars once I have my 3 month follow up MRI in December. I also sent my scans to Dr. Paul Gardner at PITT. He recommended a minimally invasive approach through the crease of the eye. That really scares me so I don't think I would go that route. Any other Drs. Anyone can recommend. This time will be third treatment dealing with this tumor and have really no room for error. Thank you all for your help.

ANSydney:
Minimally invasive approach through the crease of the eye may sound bad, but if it involves no drilling of the skull bone, I would definitely explore more.

Mlamb:
Dr Paul Gardner from PITT recommended this minimally invasive approach by sort of the crows feet area. He did say they would have to remove a small bit of bone. I asked if their visibility would be more limited with this approach and he said no not at all. I worry because they don't do this approach as often as open craniotomies. Since I already had a retrosigmoid craniotomy and gamma knife I don't want to do something that is kind of experimental. I will most likely visit Dr. Gardner and have a formal consult so that I am fully informed but the idea of going behind the eye really scares me. Thank you for your feedback.

ANSydney:
The drilling appears minimal compared to drilling through the skull.

Muffin:
This sounds interesting to me.  I have never heard of this, nor was an option ever given to me to do this.  I would like to learn more. I wonder if Iowa does this......

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