Acoustic Neuroma (Vestibular Schwannoma)
What is an Acoustic Neuroma?
A tumour that develops on the nerve that connects the ear to the brain (8th 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.
