I had a 3cm acoustic neuroma tumor removed last Jan, 2008 via translab approach. My MRI pre-surgery showed no white matter changes. My 1 yr post-op follow-up MRI showed white matter changes specifically, the radiology report says, "Minimal degree of nonspecific white matter change which may represent small vessel ischemia, with no acute findings present."
I suffer from migraine headaches and prior to surgery was on gabapentin. After surgery, I switched to topamax which helps reduce my headaches. I am 52 years old.
My question is three-fold: Can my white matter changes be the result of the surgery? The result of taking topamax because I've only been taking it since my surgery? The cause of my migraines?
I also have cognitive issues with short term memory loss, trouble spelling out words and a lot of trouble with numbers especially word problems or calculating problems that are new since my surgery, and now I have ataxia on both sides which before my surgery was only single-sided. Can these symptoms be the result of white matter changes as well?
Thank you for taking the time to answer me,
Christine