Acoustic neuroma is fairly rare, but it is still one of the most common of the benign brain tumors. Acoustic neuroma develops on the eighth cranial nerve that originates in the brain and ends in your inner ear. The eighth cranial nerve is responsible for our balance and hearing. This type of tumor usually grows slowly, and they don’t usually appear until the person is between the ages of 30 and 60. Acoustic neruomas are almost unheard of in children.
For the people who have an acoustic neuroma, some don’t need any treatment at all because it doesn’t bother them in any way because the tumor is so small. For those that do have problems related to the tumor, there are surgical options. For most people the acoustic neuroma is not a problem, but for some the tumor can compress the brain stem, which can cause death to occur.
What are the signs and symptoms of acoustic neuroma?
The tumor may cause symptoms as it grows, but the size of the tumor is not indicative of the degree of untoward effects. A small tumor can be just as troublesome as a larger one. It just depends on the tumor and the person. In most cases, a tumor that is less than 1.5 centimeters will cause no symptoms, but that is not always a given. Acoustic neuromas can grow up to 6 centimeters.
If there are signs and symptoms of an acoustic neuroma, they may include gradual or sudden hearing loss that will occur on one side. There may be hearing loss on both sides, but more pronounced on one side than the other. Some people may complain of ringing in the affected ear. The patient may complain of numbness or tingling in the face, as well as vertigo and difficulty in maintaining balance.
The vestibulocochlear nerve is the name of your eighth cranial nerve, and it transmits information regarding sound and balance from your ear to your brain. It is not known what causes these tumors, however someone who has a genetic disorder involving the vestibulocochlear nerve is at risk for developing tumors in this area. It can be passed on by one parent, and the child has a 50 percent chance of developing the disorder. The disorder that causes the tumors to grow is neurofibromatosis, and it is a result of a genetic mutation that can develop in the growing fetus. The tumors will not start to grow, in most cases, until well into adulthood.
You should seek medical advice when you notice any changes in your hearing, if you have any dizziness or ringing in your ears, or have any problems keeping your balance. Early diagnosis can find the tumor before it ever becomes problematic. Some patients have lost total hearing. There is also a danger of fluid buildup within the confines of your skull, which can be life-threatening.
How is acoustic neuroma diagnosed and treated?
It may take some time to diagnose acoustic neuroma because the signs and symptoms can resemble an inner ear infection in the beginning. This disorder may be found while the doctor conducts diagnostic tests to rule out any ear abnormalities. Your doctor may order scans such as an MRI or a CT scan of your head. He may also conduct a hearing test. You would be sent to a hearing specialist who will ask you to wear some earphones and listen to faint tones. The doctor may order other tests to detect nerve function.
Large tumors can cause permanent hearing loss, headaches, mental confusion, unsteady gate, balance problems and facial numbness and tingling. The tumor can prevent the flow of cerebrospinal fluid between the brain and spinal cord, which will cause intracranial pressure. Your doctor may want to record the tumor growth by scanning your head regularly. If surgery is needed, your doctor may opt for radio-surgery, which is done without ever making an incision. The patient has a frame attached to his/her head. The scalp is numbed under local anesthesia, and gamma radiation is delivered to the acoustic neuroma.
The problem with radio-surgery the effects of the surgery may not be evident for a long period of time. The symptoms could still be present for years to come. There could also be facial paralysis. The other option is open brain surgery which is done under general anesthesia. This surgery preserves nerve function between the ear and the brain. The risk of brain surgery is infection. If the tumor is small and causing no problems, the doctor may do nothing, other than watch and see approach.
If you have an acoustic neuroma, educate yourself as much as possible. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. It is always easier to cope with a problem when you know as much about it as you possibly can. You can go online and find a support group by typing “Acoustic Neuroma Association” into your search engine. Talking about this disorder with your family and friends can help you have a good support system. It is important that you maintain a healthy frame of mind, because knowing you have something growing inside your head can be a bit worrisome and depressing for some people.
Source: Mayo Clinic information page
