Acoustic Neuroma - Symptom, Treatment and cause of Acoustic Neuroma

Acoustic Neuroma Description

A usually benign (non-cancerous) tumour of the insulating sheath which covers the acoustic nerve (nerve which conducts the sense of hearing to the brain) which often develops at the point where the nerve passes through a small hole in skull to enter the brain.

Acoustic Neuroma Cause

Not known.

Acoustic Neuroma Symptom

A ringing noise, followed by deafness in the affected ear are the early symptoms. As it increases in size other symptoms may include pain, dizziness and, because of pressure on other nearby nerves that supply the eye, a lack of tears in the eye and double vision. Headache does not occur until the tumour is very large.

Investigation

A CT scan can usually show the tumour accurately.

Acoustic Neuroma Treatment

Surgical removal of the tumour in a very intricate operation.

Complications

Removing larger tumours may result in unavoidable permanent deafness and possibly other nerve damage.

Prognosis of Acoustic Neuroma

The smaller the tumour at the time of surgery, the better the final result. Tumours less than 2 cm. in diameter can normally be removed without any problem.