My main symptom was chronic sinusitis and my left nostril always burned. I had not had any brain imaging but kept going to the E.N.T. off and on for 5 years complaining of sinus issues. Finally, I had a brain scan for a different reason, (to rule out a stroke because of tingling down my left arm) and the 3 centimeter meningioma was discovered. I took my report to the E.N.T. and he said the meningioma was not causing my sinus issues. Well, he was wrong, because all those symptoms disappeared after the meningioma was removed. My neurosurgeon said I had chronic inflammation due to the meningioma. But, to answer the most important question, the neurosurgeon wanted to remove the meningioma because it was 1/16th of an inch from my optic nerve. He was fairly certain he could remove all of it without damaging the optic nerve but that window of opportunity was limited because, even though slow growing, 1/16th of an inch was already right at the limit of being able to resect it without damaging my optic nerve. And, I will add, given that 2 other neuro doctors said no neurosurgeon would be willing to attempt to remove the meningioma given its location, I think the successful removal of mine rested in the hands of a very skilled doctor. Location is everything and yours may not be in such a tricky location to deal with.