Acoustic neuroma – The vestibular schwannoma – Acoustic schwannoma

Acoustic Neuroma (Neurilemma; Vestibular schwannoma; Acoustic Schwannoma)

What is acoustic neuroma?

Acoustic neuroma – tumor, which grows in the nerve, passing from the brain to the ear. This nerve otvechayae for normal functioning hearing and maintaining balance. Acoustic neuroma grows quite slowly and is benign, noncancerous, tumor. But, Despite this, the disease can cause serious health problems.

Reason for acoustic neuroma

The exact cause of acoustic neuroma is unknown.

Risk factors for acoustic neuroma

Factors, that may increase the risk of acoustic neuroma include:

• Age: 30-60 years;
• Availability last neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2);
• Family history of NF2.

Symptoms of acoustic neuroma

Initial symptoms of acoustic neuroma include:

• Gradual hearing loss in one ear with near normal hearing in the other;
• Reduction of audible sound, especially when talking on the phone;
• Ringing in the affected ear.

With the development of neuromas, symptoms may include:

• Problems with balance;
• Numbness and tingling of the face;
• Weakness of the facial muscles on the side of the tumor.

If there were headaches and confusion, the tumor may be life-threatening. Seek immediate medical attention.

Diagnosis of acoustic neuroma

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and will also review hearing. It also performs tests of functioning of the nervous system.

For accurate diagnosis of the disease may be needed pictures of structures of the head. For this, the following methods:

• MRT;
• CT scan.

They can be assigned some tests for the diagnosis of hearing loss:

• Audiogram;
• Auditory brainstem evoked potentials;
• Electronystagmography.

Treatment of acoustic neuroma

Treatment depends on age, overall health, the size and location of the tumor, and its rate of growth. Methods of treatment of acoustic neuroma may include:

Monitoring of acoustic neuroma

If the tumor is very small, your doctor may just monitor its growth. This is justified, if the patient is greater 70 years.

Microsurgical removal of acoustic neuroma

If the tumor grows, and / or the functioning of the hearing impaired, may be necessary to remove opuholi.Tip operation depends on the size and location of the tumor. Complications of surgery may include permanent hearing loss and / or paralysis of facial muscles on the affected side.

Radiation therapy is the treatment of acoustic neuroma

Radiation therapy – Use of radiation, to kill the cells and reduce tumor size. Radiation in many cases to prevent further tumor growth. Radiation therapy is often used, when the tumor is small and removing it surgically impossible. This method can keep the ear. The best method of treatment using radiation – stereotactic radiosurgery (CyberKnife). This procedure uses a directional beam radiation to destroy cancerous tissue.

Prevention of acoustic neuroma

There are no methods to prevent acoustic neuroma, because the cause of its occurrence is unknown.