Acoustic Neuroma (Vestibular Schwannoma)

Acoustic Neuroma (Vestibular Schwannoma)

What is an Acoustic Neuroma?

A tumour that develops on the nerve that connects the ear to the brain (8^th cranial nerve). This tumour consists of Schwann cells that multiplies. This is due to a non-functional gene that is supposed to keep the Schwann cells to not mutate.

Symptoms

• Facial numbness
• Loss of balance
• One sided hearing loss
• Unilateral tinnitus
• In some cases dizziness

Diagnosis include balance tests (marching on the spot or walking heel to toe), hearing assessments, Computerised Tomography (CT)and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans.

Treatment

• Surgery (if the tumour is >25mm big)
• Radiation (small tumours 15 – 25 mm)
• Radiosurgery “gamma knife”

After surgery, there may be an onset of a hearing loss. A hearing loss that has already occurred from the tumour cannot be reversed, but the remaining hearing can be preserved in some cases.

Interesting:

• Mark Ruffalo, also known as The Hulk, had an Acoustic Neuroma
• The largest Acoustic Neuroma ever recorder was from a lady Hidayah Cynthia, at St. Vincent Medical Centre in 2011 was 6,2 cm – as big as a tennis ball.

If you experience any of these symptoms, contact us for a hearing test.