My bias for this would be to go to a major university center, but
a local one. As brain surgery goes, this is a relatively common
tumor which university neurosurgeons see regularly. I have worked
at several major neurosurgical centers (as a neuropathologist).
Follow-up care is important, and if three weeks later your
brother had a sudden headache, or sudden pink fluid from the ear,
I'd _much_ rather drive fifteen miles to the local University of
Iowa, rather than trying to get airline connections at 3:00 a.m.
to Seattle or Miami or San Diego or something. If it were my
family I would go to the U Iowa acoustic schwannoma expert or
the Mayo Clinic acoustic schwannoma expert, etc, within a hundred
miles or so.
eddie monroe (emonroe at blue.weeg.uiowa.edu) wrote:
: My 20 year old brother had an MRI yesterday because of loss of hearing in
: his right ear and we were surprised to find out he has a "large right
: acoustic neuroma with brain compression." The local doctor recommended
: that neurosurgery be performed as soon as possible at a specialized site
: because of the large size of the tumor. Three sites around the country
: were recommended.
:: I want to make sure he gets the best possible care and am looking for
: second opinions concerning the best facility to take him to. If you are
: knowledgeable in this area, could you please give advice concerning the
: best site. Specifically, what site and to which neurosurgeon would you
: take your son or daughter if he or she required such an operation.
:: Responses can be posted here or e-mailed to emonroe at blue.weeg.uiowa.edu:: Thank you very much; your consultation is much appreciated.
