Acoustic neuroma

Vestibular schwannoma
Rare and usually benign tumour that develops near the inner ear canal and/or cerebellopontine angle.

Symptoms

  • Single sided hearing loss
  • Tinnitus
  • Balance problems or dizziness
  • Facial movement abnormalities
  • Impairment of the cranial nerves
  • Facial spasms
  • Neurological symptoms

About acoustic neuromas

The cerebellopontine angle is the area between the petrous part of the temporal bone, the brain stem and the cerebellum. The tumour arises from cells that cover the vestibular nerve, preventing the nerve from functioning correctly. As it grows and puts pressure on surrounding structures it can also cause pressure on the auditory nerve or facial nerve.

The tumour usually grows slowly or sometimes not at all. That is why treatment depends upon the size and location of the tumour, the nature and severity of the complaints and the needs of individual patients. Very large tumours can put pressure on the brain stem leading to life threatening situations.

Treatment

A number of potential treatments for this disorder are listed below. Following your diagnosis the doctor, together with you and the other doctors from the team, will choose the best therapy for you. Your treatment may consequently vary from the therapy(ies) proposed below.

Using high-dose radiation, without damaging the surrounding tissue, in order to stop tumour growth or even shrink the tumour.

Examinations and diagnosis

If we suspect that this disorder may be present we perform one or more examinations.

 

Specialists

Last edit: 22 October 2021