It was announced yesterday that Sheryl Crow has a benign brain tumor known as a meningioma.The Grammy award winning singer did not disclose what her symptoms were that led to the discovery of this tumor which often is made by an MRI scan of the head.
From an ENT perspective, such a tumor can be confused with an acoustic neuroma if found in an area of the brain called the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) and patients will often initially present to an ENT with symptoms of:
• Ringing of the ear on just one side (tinnitus)
• Sense of ear fullness on one side that does not go away
• Hearing loss worse on one side (asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss)
• More rarely, balance problems
After a basic exam of the ear, a hearing test is performed. If the hearing test shows a significant asymmetry in NERVE hearing (as opposed to conductive hearing loss which is hearing loss NOT due to a nerve problem), an MRI scan of the head with gadolinium is often ordered.
The tumor can be seen very easily on this type of scan.
Other testing that might be performed include:
• ABR (Auditory Brainstem Response)
• OAE (Otoacoustic Emission)
Depending on the location of the meningioma, the patient may see either a neurosurgeon or a neuro-otologic surgeon (sub-specialized ENT surgeon). Typical options depending on symptoms, location, and size include:
• Monitor
• Surgical excision
• Radiation ("gamma" or "cyber"-knife)
It is unclear what course of treatment she has elected to pursue.
Source:
Sheryl Crow Assures Fans Her Brain Tumor Is Non-Cancerous. People 6/6/12.
