Acoustic Neuroma
Acoustic neuroma is a benign tumor that grows on the nerve of balance.
Symptoms
Ringing (tinnitus) can be the only symptom when the tumor is small. However, as it gets larger, some balance problems will occur. Hearing progressively deteriorates as the tumor gets larger. Later, the patient will have numbness in the side of the face, more balance problems, and sometimes trouble swallowing.
Diagnosis
Patients with hearing loss and ringing in one ear should undergo Auditory Brainstem Testing (ABR) that monitors the conduction of the sound through the nerve of hearing, which can detect early pressure on the nerve. However, the definite diagnosis can be obtained with a MRI.
Treatment
There are several modalities in treating acoustic neuromas:
- Observation: In older patients, patients with health problems, and in small tumors, the lesion can be observed with interval MRI's, especially since this tumor is slow growing.
- Surgery: There are several approaches to remove the tumor. Any technique poses some risk since the tumor is inside the skull and is surrounded with several important structures and nerves, such as the facial nerve and the cochlear nerve. The surgeon must be an experienced one and perform this kind of surgery routinely. In small tumors, an attempt should be made to preserve the hearing. In every case, the preservation of the facial nerve is important.
- Radiation: Radiation using the cyberknife and gamma knife is performed in only a few centers and carries some risk of damage to the adjacent tissues from radiation.
Other ENT Conditions
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Voice Conditions
Hearing & Ear Conditions
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