Author Topic: Please help me decipher the MRI report in layman’s terms  (Read 3390 times)

Autumnbird

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 24
Please help me decipher the MRI report in layman’s terms
« on: October 18, 2021, 04:20:48 pm »
Hello I am due to have a translab approach surgery in Nov.
My hearing on left side is severely impaired. The doc has explained to me that my AN is medium sized and needs to come out. If you could share any inputs in layman’s terms and explain to me what the following MRI findings mean, I’d be grateful. I understand that I am not seeking medical counseling here just a more general perspective from fellow patients! More specifically, do you agree that it is “medium sized” as my doc explained.

MRI finding: “there is a 1.5 cm enhancing left cerebellopontine angle mass with extension of enhancement along the proximal 7th and 8th nerve complex measuring approximately 8 mm”.
47 yr female
Progressive hearing loss, tinnitus since 2017
AN diagnosis left ear September 2021
1.5 cm width x 2.5 cm length
Translab November 2021
@ Univ of Iowa (Dr Marlan Hansen)
SSD, facial nerve preserved
Recovery slow but steady

Autumnbird

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 24
Re: Please help me decipher the MRI report in layman’s terms
« Reply #1 on: October 18, 2021, 10:35:53 pm »
Is the measurement of the tumor 1.5 cm or 8mm? Would your doctor describe this as small or medium?
47 yr female
Progressive hearing loss, tinnitus since 2017
AN diagnosis left ear September 2021
1.5 cm width x 2.5 cm length
Translab November 2021
@ Univ of Iowa (Dr Marlan Hansen)
SSD, facial nerve preserved
Recovery slow but steady

Greece Lover

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 339
Re: Please help me decipher the MRI report in layman’s terms
« Reply #2 on: October 20, 2021, 10:10:22 am »
I'm not a doctor, but with that being said, this sounds like a pretty classic medium sized tumor. Mine was 1.2 and I was told that it's on the large side of small.  For you, the 1.5 is the overall size, but the "extension" is usually the tumor emerging out of the auditory canal, which is probably why they want to do translate rather than middle fossa.
Vestibular Schwannoma 1.2 cm. Right side.
Middle fossa surgery at University of Iowa on May 9 2016.
Hearing saved.  Face is fine. Balance pretty darn good most days.
One year follow up MRI showed no tumor. 
Five year follow up showed no tumor, so I'm in the clear.

Autumnbird

  • New Member
  • *
  • Posts: 24
Re: Please help me decipher the MRI report in layman’s terms
« Reply #3 on: October 20, 2021, 11:25:15 am »
Greece Lover, Thanks so much for clarifying!
47 yr female
Progressive hearing loss, tinnitus since 2017
AN diagnosis left ear September 2021
1.5 cm width x 2.5 cm length
Translab November 2021
@ Univ of Iowa (Dr Marlan Hansen)
SSD, facial nerve preserved
Recovery slow but steady