Re: Acoustic neuroma

Posted By ccf neuro M.D. on May 15, 1997 at 21:05:35:

In Reply to: Acoustic neuroma posted by Valerie Dillon on May 10, 1997 at 14:11:33:







: Just found out I have a 3mm tumor. Was having an MRI for
MS and this is what was found. I have had some dizziness
occasionally for over a year, and do not believe I have
any hearing deficits. I have not been tested for this
though. I have been doing some research on the internet
and found your web page. I would like to know about the
Gamma Knife, also, is it best to do as soon as possible
or is it adviseable to wait and see. I really would like
to preserve my hearing. Approximately how many patients
have been treated for AN with the gamma knife at the
Cleveland Clinic? Thank you for this service. Valerie




Valerie, First, we request that patients not repeatedly posting the same message, as this adds time and data to the forum which makes it more difficult for all web site visitors to use. Also, we answer questions generally from the most remotely posetd to the most recently posted, thus, reposting your question does not decrease our response time, as we respect all patient's right to a timely response equally. In response to your question, a 3mm acoustic neuroma is very small as far as these tumors go, and is unlikely to cause symptoms in and of itself. I think it would be wise for you to have a formal hearing evaluation (audiometry) completed, and perhaps vestibular testing as well, to test the integrity of both components of the eighth cranial nerve, which is the nerve from whose covering sheath that such tumors arise from. Treatment options include observation (especially if tumor is asymptomatic), surgical resection, and more recently, gamma knife, although I believe that a tumor this small may be too
tiny for the gamma knife. If you are interested in knowing how many of these tumors have been treated here at the Cleveland Clinic, I would suggest you call our 1-800 number (1-800-223-2273) and ask to be connected to the gamma knife center, and or to a Dr. Gene Barnett's office (extension 45669). Dr. Barnett is director of the Northern Ohio Gamma Knife Center here at the Cleveland Clinic, and I'm sure he'd be happy to return your call and provide you with that specific information. I'm sure he'd be happy to arrange a consultation as well if you are interested in such after having talked with him. If Cleveland is far away for you, he might also be able to recommend a center nearer to you. When you call his office, let him know that you were referred from the Neurology Forum website (Dr. Barnett is a pioneer of computer-assisted neurosurgery).