{"id":275,"date":"2020-12-23T15:16:16","date_gmt":"2020-12-23T22:16:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/neurotucson.fm1.dev\/ear-hearing\/acoustic-neuroma\/"},"modified":"2021-07-21T12:13:03","modified_gmt":"2021-07-21T18:13:03","slug":"acoustic-neuroma","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/neurotucson.com\/ear-hearing\/neurotology\/acoustic-neuroma\/","title":{"rendered":"Acoustic Neuroma"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

An acoustic neuroma (more appropriately known as a vestibular schwannoma) is a benign (non-cancerous) tumor that originates from the vestibulocochlear (eighth cranial) nerve. This nerve normally transmits sound and balance information from the inner ear to the brain. Acoustic neuromas are uncommon, with an incidence of nine to thirteen per million people per year and typically occur on just one side. Neurofibromatosis Type 2<\/a>, a rare genetic disease, is the exception in that patients afflicted with this condition often have acoustic neuromas on both sides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acoustic neuromas are usually slow growing and may not cause symptoms at first. As the tumor increases in size (typically one to two millimeters per year) and compresses surrounding nerves,\u00a0sensorineural hearing loss<\/a>,\u00a0tinnitus<\/a>\u00a0and vertigo<\/a> (feeling that the world is spinning when you are not moving) may develop. Headaches, vision problems, facial weakness and sensory abnormalities of the face can occur with larger tumors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Evaluation of acoustic neuroma involves a complete medical history and examination of the ear as well as several diagnostic tests. Our practice typically obtains a comprehensive audiogram to assess hearing and MRI scans of the brain with fine cuts through the internal auditory canal to accurately determine the tumor\u2019s size. Other tests such as videonystagmography (VNG) to evaluate horizontal semicircular canal\/superior vestibular nerve function, vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) to assess saccule\/inferior vestibular nerve function and high-resolution temporal bone CT scans (to evaluate mastoid development and height of the jugular fossa) may be ordered as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because acoustic neuromas are typically slow growing and non-cancerous, observation using serial MRI scans (every 6 \u2013 12 months) is an option if tumors are small and not causing any neurological symptoms. If treatment is required, surgery and radiation are available options. The primary goal of surgery is to remove the tumor, with preservation of hearing and facial nerve function when possible. Surgery is complex and requires a team of surgeons, including a neurotologist and neurosurgeon. Radiation using stereotactic delivery devices is also available at the Center for Neurosciences. Stereotactic radiosurgery directs beams of radiation to the tumor without making any incisions. The goal of radiosurgery is to stop the growth of the tumor, but the tumor is not removed. It requires lifelong surveillance using MRI scans since tumors may regrow at a later date. Rarely, malignant transformation (formation of a new cancer at the radiation site) has also been reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Choose Us<\/h2>\n\n\n\n