Diagnosed with Meningioma

This is an old post I found hoping for someone to respond. I’m waiting for my latest mri. What type and where was your tumors.
Mine is SSS I think Superior Sinus something. Hope I hear back.
Thanks

Hello @pam1954, about 4 years ago, I learned through an MRI that I had a very large meningioma that would require surgery to remove. Other treatment options were not considered to be viable. Like you, I did not have many overt symptoms beforehand, but I did have 3 syncope events, for which I decided to visit my PC. His hunch was that the events were probably caused by a heart condition, so I go quite a cardio workup. As almost an after thought, an MRI was prescribed. The MRI was interrupted by the technician who stopped it and called the Emergency Dept., which requested that I be ushered over there immediately. I did not understand what was happening until I met with the ER docto, who showed me the available MRI imagery, told me that it showed what he called a tumor, and indicated that I needed to meet with a neurosurgeon, who showed up minutes later. The neurosurgeon explained that the growth was a very large meningioma that was likely non cancerous, that had been growing for many years, and was likely the cause of my syncope events. The imagery clearly showed that it surrounded my optical nerve and also encased my cerebral artery. Probably like you, I had never heard of a meningioma and wondered what it meant for me. I was told that I would need surgery to remove the growth but that it could not be done at our small town surgery center and was referred to a larger medical center that could handle the job. I was also prescribed Keppra, 750 mg, twice a day to ward off possible seizures. My surgery got scheduled for about 2 months later. I wanted the surgery date to arrive soon so that I could get this over with but, on the other hand, I was dreading the arrival of the date. The surgery team was very careful and left in place what was said to be about 10% of the meningioma because of its close association with my optical nerve and artery. As noted by someone else, the craniotomy was not as bad as I thought it would be and I had very little pain afterwards, requiring only Tylenol on one occasion to dull the sensation. My opthamologist exams after surgery were normal. I have had annual followup MRIs to monitor the residual meningioma and, thank goodness, it has not grown larger during that past 4 years.

I know from experience how jarring a sudden and unexpected diagnosis of a meningioma can be, but for both of us, it is very fortuitous that it has been recognized. I would not know if there are treatment options other than surgery available to help protect your optical nerve, but I would suggest asking about the best approach for protecting your vision. I extend my best wishes to you as you go forward and wish you the best possible outcome of your treatment. Good luck!

Hi I’m new here.
In 2019 I was rear ended hard, my left side forehead hit the steering wheel. I only had a busted lip, didn’t go to ER.
I went to ER the next morning due to large bump, headache and N&V they did an MRI and they didn’t see anything that was worrisome told me just to wait it out. 4 months later I went to a neurologist for pain behind the left eye, memory focus concentration problems. He did another MRI and found the meningioma. 4 years later it has doubled in size from 4mm to 8mm and as of last week is continuous grow.
I was told just check it in a year. Is this a normal procedure to wait while it keeps growing ?

Hi I’m new here.
In 2019 I was rear ended hard, my left side forehead hit the steering wheel. I only had a busted lip, didn’t go to ER.
I went to ER the next morning due to large bump, headache and N&V they did an MRI and they didn’t see anything that was worrisome told me just to wait it out. 4 months later I went to a neurologist for pain behind the left eye, memory focus concentration problems. He did another MRI and found the meningioma. 4 years later it has doubled in size from 4mm to 8mm and as of last week is continuous grow.
I was told just check it in a year. Is this a normal procedure to wait while it keeps growing ?

Hi. By mistake through an X-ray for another issue it was discovered that I had a Meningioma (apparently it showed up on an X-ray in 2006, but, no one told me) that was in 2021. My surgeon watched it, and I had Gamma Knife at 6mm. He didn’t want it to get any bigger. I would suggest a second opinion. I had the Gamma Knife (Univ. of Pa) in March, 2024. Good luck.

I didn’t think it was.
Thank you for responding. I haven’t even seen the neurologist but twice, it’s always one of the Nurse Practitioners. I’m looking for a new one now. I will take your advice and find a neurosurgeon.

Yes, rh61. Please see a neurosurgeon. A neurologist told me my meningioma was inoperable. I saw a radiation oncologist who told me the same thing. Then I saw a neurosurgeon at UCSF and he said, "No problem, I do one or two a week in the same location." That second opinion from a neurosurgeon is paramount.