Acoustic neuroma is a sub-type of schwannoma that occurs in the inner ear, wrapping around the vestibular (auditory) nerve, situated in the inner ear. Almost all are classified as grade 1 and symptoms can include tinnitus and hearing loss.
Tinnitus is a very common symptom of acoustic neuromas and many other inner ear conditions. People with acoustic neuromas may experience a high-pitched tone in the ear affected by the tumor. In other cases, the tinnitus can sound like hissing, buzzing or roaring — like when putting a seashell to the ear.
They may order a hearing test, an MRI, or a neuroimaging study to see what's going on past the eardrum. Your doctor may also refer you to an ear, nose, and throat professional for even more thorough evaluation. If your tests reveal an acoustic neuroma, know that most are typically very slow growing.
Acoustic neuroma can be treated effectively if diagnosed early. But if left untreated, it can lead to serious neurological problems. The life expectancy for patients suffering from an acoustic neuroma is very favorable with most patients enjoying productive lives.
Rarely, an acoustic neuroma may grow large enough to compress the brainstem and become life-threatening.
The most common symptoms of an acoustic neuroma include hearing loss, tinnitus, and issues with maintaining your balance. If an acoustic neuroma grows, it may press on vital structures and nerves including the brainstem.
Dr. Harris: If someone has hearing loss in one ear and not the other, it's a red flag that deserves investigation. Rarely, vertigo, or a room spinning sensation, may also be a symptom. When the tumor is large enough to compress the brain stem, headaches and other symptoms can arise.
Surgery for acoustic neuromas involves collaboration between neurosurgeons and neurotologists (skull-base surgeons who specialize in the inner ear, the bones of the side and back of the skull, and the lower cranial nerves and brain stem).
An acoustic neuroma is a type of non-cancerous (benign) brain tumour. It's also known as a vestibular schwannoma. A benign brain tumour is a growth in the brain that usually grows slowly over many years and does not spread to other parts of the body.
However, there is good news. Acoustic neuromas are considered benign. They are not cancerous and do not spread to other parts of the body.
However, it is possible for other tumors to arise in the cerebellopontine angle and cause similar symptoms to an acoustic neuroma. For instance, meningioma is another type of tumor which may show up in this area and cause similar symptoms.
Treatment Options
Advanced focused radiation, known as Gamma Knife radiosurgery, shows a great success rate in acoustic neuroma. Focused radiation can be an optimal treatment choice, especially for older patients or someone not healthy enough to undergo surgery.
Other symptoms of brain tumors include severe nausea, vomiting, seizures, personality changes, difficulties with speech, muscle weakness, vision or hearing loss, and problems with learning or memory. Early detection of brain tumors requires understanding and recognition of the above symptoms.
Tinnitus appears to be produced by an unfortunate confluence of structural and functional changes in the brain, say neuroscientists. Tinnitus appears to be produced by an unfortunate confluence of structural and functional changes in the brain, say neuroscientists at Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC).
Tinnitus causes changes in brain networks
Though it sounds positive, in the long term, it can negatively impact the brain. In a study by researchers at the University of Illinois, they found that chronic tinnitus has been linked to changes in certain networks in the brain.
An MRI scan may reveal a growth or tumor near the ear or the eighth cranial nerve that could be causing tinnitus. Imaging tests can also help doctors evaluate pulsatile tinnitus. They can show changes in the blood vessels near the ears and determine whether an underlying medical condition is causing symptoms.
Acoustic neuromas generally develop in people aged 30 to 60, with older populations at higher risk. There are no differences in risk among ethnicities, but women are more likely to be diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma than men.
An MRI can help accurately diagnose an acoustic neuroma because the characteristics of these tumors look particularly unique compared to other brain tumors.
Acoustic neuromas are diagnosed by a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain.
This tumor may develop at any age. It most often happens between ages 30 and 60. Acoustic neuroma may be the result of nerve damage caused by environmental factors.
Living with an acoustic neuroma after treatment requires ongoing management. Some of your symptoms may be alleviated after surgery or radiation therapy because the tumor will no longer be putting the same pressure on surrounding tissues. However, you may still experience symptoms and have to adjust to a new normal.
Most patients will spend about 3-4 days recovering in the hospital during their acoustic neuroma surgery recovery.
An individual experiencing the symptoms of an acoustic neuroma will usually consult a primary care physician first to complain of ringing in the ears, hearing loss, or balance problems. A physician will perform a basic neurological exam, including tests of: reflexes. muscle strength.
Acoustic neuromas are tumors that develop from the sheath of Schwann cells. They tend to occupy the cerebellopontine angle and are usually found adjacent to the cochlear or vestibular nerve, either intracranially or extra-axially.