Live Life Team
Acoustic neuroma is a rare, benign brain tumor, which affects the acoustic nerve that helps in controlling the hearing and balance of human body. They grow from Schwann cells which insulates the nerve cells by covering them.
The growth of acoustic neuroma is very slow. It does not spread from its origin. It may not be harmful. It is not a threatening tumor and only causes complications if it is large enough to pressurize the brain.
Acoustic neuroma can be found more in women than in men. People of the age group 30-60 are more subjected to this condition.
Symptoms
Hearing loss
90% of the people suffering from this have some degree of hearing loss which develops gradually in most cases.
Tinnitus
This is characterized by a ringing sensation the ears. 70% of the people with the disease have tinnitus.
Vertigo
Vertigo is a condition where one feels one is spinning, even if he is standing still.
Facial numbness, tingling or pain
This can happen when the tumor begins to pressurize the nerve that controls sensation and feeling in the face.
Headaches
It occurs if the flow of cerebrospinal fluid is blocked by the tumor.
Temporary sight problems due to blockage of cerebrospinal fluid.
Ear ache.
Causes
The cause behind most occurrences of acoustic neuroma is unknown.
A very rare and inherited condition called neurofibromatosis type 2 can result in acoustic neuroma, which accounts for just 7%.
Diagnosis
Since the symptoms grow very slowly it is very difficult to diagnose acoustic neuroma. Also many of the symptoms are found in many other conditions.
If the doctor feels that the patient has acoustic neuroma, he can be advised for administering neurological test. These tests are to ensure if the hearing capacity of the person who is being tested is normal.
Another test which is administered is electronystagmography. This is used to measure the involuntary mmovements of the eyes of the patient, while testing his or her balance, as abnormal movements of the eye occurs if there is a problem with the inner ear.
The most accurate way of diagnosing acoustic neuroma is by using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). MRI helps the doctor to know the size an position of the tumor.
Treatments
The treatment for acoustic neuroma depends on the age and health of the patient as well as the size and position of the rumor. It is conducted a group of doctors including neurosurgeons, neurologists and oncologists.
For the ones with very slow growth, the patient is kept under observation. If the tumor grows to a size that will pose health problems, then a surgery is done or a single of radiotherapy under local anesthesia is advised.
Complications
Certain symptoms of acoustic neuroma can hinder the normal life of the patient. So if the patient feels that there is significant increase in the symptomatic conditions one should consult a doctor.
The most severe complication that occurs due to this is hydrocephalus, which happens when the tumor grows too large and presses the brain stem. It prevents the flow of cerebrospinal fluid.
