Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 10/8/2008

Question
QUESTION: My 34 year old husband has been experiencing "sharp" headache pains and left hearing loss.  He also said he has not felt "right" lately.  He had a CT Scan today that revealed a mass in the left cerebellum.  They ordered an MRI, which is to be done tonight.  We don't expect any results within the next few days.  In addition to all of this, he has been making some really bad decisions lately, like he's not thinking at all.  Could this "mass" have any impact on his decision-making ability and any other information you would have would be helpful.

ANSWER: Yes it could. More can really not be said until we have more information on this by his MRI etc. Please do keep me posted!


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello. I'm following up to the question I asked yesterday.  My 34 year old husband had a CT scan that showed a "brain mass."  He was sent for an MRI last night.  The results today were an Acoustic Neuroma.  I have read about them, but do you have any information that may be useful?  He has been experiencing headaches and some balance problems.  If surgery is indicated, what is the typical recover time?  Could his hearing be restored?  What is the typical prognosis?  Thank you for any information you have.

Answer
If it is an acousticus neurinoma it has originated from the 8'th cranial nerve (the hearing and balance nerve) on that side (left). Such tumors are usually benign (non cancerous) and therefore usually curable. His bad decisions etc. are probably caused by secondary pressure effects. Treatment is most probably necessary. Surgery is one possible treatment method but will definitely ruin his hearing on that side and of course there are other surgical risks (this is after all intra cranial surgery)involved. But I'm not a surgeon so you should discuss these risks with a neurosurgeon or an ear-nose-and-throat surgeon. If the tumor is not too big (maximum size at present 4 cm = a little more than 1.5 inches but less than 1.6 inches)it can be eliminated radiologically without any surgery by GammaKnife, CyberKnife or proton beams depending on what is available. I can not promise that that would spare his hearing on that side but at least there would be no surgical risks involved. But it all depends on its size! There would be some temporary balance effects of such treatment but they would soon pass away with time. Also surgery would have such effects. Good luck!