Awaiting 2nd MRI for Meningioma: What are possible effects of surgery?

I have a second MRI scheduled for the last week of July. My skull-based left side meningioma, diagnosed in February, is near the optic nerve. Good luck to everyone on this site.

@vernicek I had an MRI of inner ear canals and brain for tinnitus. Ear canals were fine but brain has 3 meningiomas (incidental findings that put me over the edge. Had to get a Rx for Xanax I was so anxious.) One is sitting on the optic nerve. Waiting for a call from a neuro- ophthalmologist to make an appointment to further evaluate. My thought is I’ll move forward with gamma knife, but need the neuro-ophthalmologist evaluation first. I’m just preparing myself mentally. Feeling much better about all of it related to a wonderful support system and a PCP who calmed me down.!

@vernicek I had an MRI of inner ear canals and brain for tinnitus. Ear canals were fine but brain has 3 meningiomas (incidental findings that put me over the edge. Had to get a Rx for Xanax I was so anxious.) One is sitting on the optic nerve. Waiting for a call from a neuro- ophthalmologist to make an appointment to further evaluate. My thought is I’ll move forward with gamma knife, but need the neuro-ophthalmologist evaluation first. I’m just preparing myself mentally. Feeling much better about all of it related to a wonderful support system and a PCP who calmed me down.!

@kkellyjones1954: Is the meningioma literally sitting on your optic nerve? I ask because I had a 2.7 centimeter meningioma that was located 1/16th of an inch from my optic nerve and I was able to have it removed. It's been 2 years and both my follow up MRIs show no regrowth.

@mkoch 1. Below is my February MRI report. My neurosurgeon said the meningioma is too close to the optic nerve for any surgery other than a craniotomy. He doesn’t want to do that because I’m 75 and sedation would be 5+ hours. I have a second MRI, neuro opthamology, and neurosurgeon appointment in July. If the Meningioma has grown, we will discuss small doses of radiation.

“There is evidence of an avidly enhancing dural-based mass lesion, measuring approximately 1.5 x 0.5 x 1.4 cm in size, which courses along the left middle cranial fossa along the sphenoid body, and along the left clinoid process as well (series 10 image 25, series 10 image 23). 2. There is also extension along the left anterior cranial fossa, with areas notable involvement of the left prechiasmatic optic nerves (series 10 image 24). Dural thickening/tail also extends posteriorly along the left cavernous sinus, though without obvious invasion. This is best seen on series 10 image 19. Additional regional involvement, also abutting the left internal carotid artery, as discussed above. This is most compatible with a meningioma.”

How was your meningioma removed?

@mkoch 1. Below is my February MRI report. My neurosurgeon said the meningioma is too close to the optic nerve for any surgery other than a craniotomy. He doesn’t want to do that because I’m 75 and sedation would be 5+ hours. I have a second MRI, neuro opthamology, and neurosurgeon appointment in July. If the Meningioma has grown, we will discuss small doses of radiation.

“There is evidence of an avidly enhancing dural-based mass lesion, measuring approximately 1.5 x 0.5 x 1.4 cm in size, which courses along the left middle cranial fossa along the sphenoid body, and along the left clinoid process as well (series 10 image 25, series 10 image 23). 2. There is also extension along the left anterior cranial fossa, with areas notable involvement of the left prechiasmatic optic nerves (series 10 image 24). Dural thickening/tail also extends posteriorly along the left cavernous sinus, though without obvious invasion. This is best seen on series 10 image 19. Additional regional involvement, also abutting the left internal carotid artery, as discussed above. This is most compatible with a meningioma.”

How was your meningioma removed?

@vernicek
Mine is, thankfully, very small.
Also, I am 80. So we are watching and waiting. Hopefully I’ll drop dead with something else before I have to have brain surgery!

Good luck with yours.

Dolly

@mkoch 1. Below is my February MRI report. My neurosurgeon said the meningioma is too close to the optic nerve for any surgery other than a craniotomy. He doesn’t want to do that because I’m 75 and sedation would be 5+ hours. I have a second MRI, neuro opthamology, and neurosurgeon appointment in July. If the Meningioma has grown, we will discuss small doses of radiation.

“There is evidence of an avidly enhancing dural-based mass lesion, measuring approximately 1.5 x 0.5 x 1.4 cm in size, which courses along the left middle cranial fossa along the sphenoid body, and along the left clinoid process as well (series 10 image 25, series 10 image 23). 2. There is also extension along the left anterior cranial fossa, with areas notable involvement of the left prechiasmatic optic nerves (series 10 image 24). Dural thickening/tail also extends posteriorly along the left cavernous sinus, though without obvious invasion. This is best seen on series 10 image 19. Additional regional involvement, also abutting the left internal carotid artery, as discussed above. This is most compatible with a meningioma.”

How was your meningioma removed?

@dollyjaneprenzel: I was dismayed to learn after my craniotomy 2 years ago that I also have 6 and 8 millimeter meningiomas in my falx cerebri. (The membrane that divides the two sections of one's brain.) Given that meningiomas typically only grow 1 mm. a year, the neurosurgeon is suggesting the watch-and-wait protocol. I'm 74 and I think his rationale is that by the time one of them grows large enough to press on something that causes symptoms that probably something else will get me by then. 😊