Acoustic neuroma is a benign (noncancerous) tumor. It is also known as a vestibular schwannoma because it typically develops on the main vestibular nerve that travels from your inner ear to your brain and because it arises from the Schwann cells covering the nerve. As the vestibular nerve directly affects balance and hearing, pressure from an acoustic neuroma can lead to ringing in your ear (tinnitus), hearing loss, balance issues, headaches and facial numbness. In more advanced cases, patients may experience hydrocephalus, a dangerous buildup of cranial cerebrospinal fluid.
Acoustic neuroma tumors must be managed appropriately after diagnosis as they can affect important structures within the intracranial cavity. If left untreated or treated incorrectly, patients can develop hydrocephalus and eventually, severe vision problems and issues with breathing and swallowing.
Diagnosis for acoustic neuroma may include hearing test (audiometry) and imaging tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computerized tomography (CT scan)
Treatment options for acoustic neuroma tumors include:
- Regular monitoring
- Radiation therapy
- Surgical removal
Patients will want to place their trust in neurologists who have extensive expertise in acoustic neuroma diagnosis, treatment and management so that the correct next steps for the specific tumor and patient are selected, allowing for the best outcome.
There are two types of acoustic neuroma tumors:
- A sporadic form that occurs as an isolated lesion which is not associated with another tumor or condition. This form encompasses 95% of all acoustic neuroma tumors.
- An inherited syndrome called neurofibromatosis II (NF2), which is characterized by the development of noncancerous tumors on various nerves in the internal auditory canal, including the balance nerves on both sides of your head.
As these slow-growing tumors expand, they become blocked by the ear canal’s bony structures. Unable to grow outward, toward the solid bone of the skull that houses the inner ear organs, they travel inward toward the soft, easily compressed brain. When they begin to compress cranial nerves, patients often report headaches in addition to earlier symptoms of hearing and balance problems. Eventually, acoustic neuroma tumors can press on your brainstem, causing a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in your head (hydrocephalus) and increasing the pressure inside your skull.