About Eric P. Wilkinson, MD Expertise I am a board-certified otolaryngologist with additional subspecialty training in otology, neurotology, and skull base surgery. This is the subspecialty of otolaryngology that involves the ear, hearing, balance organs, the facial nerve, and surgery of the skull base including surgery for acoustic neuroma and other benign and malignant tumors of the base of the skull.
Experience Medical school, residency in otolaryngology, fellowship in otology/neurotology/skull base surgery
Organizations American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
North American Skull Base Society
American Neurotology Society
Publications Laryngoscope Otology and Neurotology
Education/Credentials MD Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 2001
Otolaryngology Residency, University of Iowa Department of Otolaryngology, Iowa City, IA
Otology/Neurotology Fellowship, House Ear Clinic, Los Angeles, CA
Expert: Eric P. Wilkinson, MD Date: 4/14/2008 Subject: AN? Meniere's?
Question Hi there, I am reading with great interest about the Acoustic Neuroma. I have not been diagnosed with this, but it seems to fit some of my symptoms. I am a 40 year old female. Approximately 3 years ago I started having episodes of vertigo. I was sent to an ENT and the diagnosis she gave was that she was not certain if I had Meniere's or Positional Vertigo. (I hadn't ever had an episode occur with a head/body position change, but she felt that the length of the attacks weren't long enough to fit the Meniere's diagnosis.) I had hearing tests that showed a loss of low frequency tones, the hearing improved in the next test (6 months later). No MRI or CT scans were ever done. In the past 6 months I have noticed that the left side of my chin goes numb. At times it seems completely numb, and other times not at all. I do get a funny sensation at the corner of my mouth as well. I went to the Dentist, and she said my teeth were fine, and to see my MD. After examining me, my MD said he didn't think it had anything to do with the central nervous system, perhaps a cranial nerve, and referred me to a neurologist. My question is, should I as about AN when I visit the neurologist? Should I ask about an MRI? Wait times here in Canada can be long, so I am not sure when I will be getting in. My MD didn't think it was anything to be to concerned about, so I am thinking I would be a low priorty for the referral.
Answer A diagnosis of Meniere's disease can only be made after a contrast-enhanced MRI of the internal auditory canal has been shown to be negative. Otherwise, the diagnosis of an acoustic neuroma is always a possibility.
Hope this helps. Good luck!
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical
advice - the information presented is for patients education only.
Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your
individual case.
