You may have heard of acoustic neuroma, but do you know what its symptoms, causes, and how to treat? Here is everything you want to know about this problem in the following article.
Acoustic neuroma, also called vestibular schwannoma, is a non-malignant tumor that grows in the auditory nerve that connects the inner ear to the brain. Through the following, we will discuss the most important and prominent information related to this condition:
Acoustic neuroma: symptoms
Acoustic neuroma is a benign, non-cancerous tumor that arises in the Schwann cells that cover the auditory nerve. This tumor usually grows gradually and slowly, and in rare cases it grows quickly and becomes very large, causing a group of serious problems.
In general, the initial symptoms and signs resulting from acoustic neuroma may be minor or inconspicuous, as this may last a long period of time, up to years, until the symptoms appear clearly.
Symptoms usually appear as a result of pressure on the auditory nerve and neighboring nerves, such as the nerves that control facial muscles, sensation, and balance, or as a result of pressure on nearby blood vessels or the brain.
In general, symptoms of vestibular schwannoma include the following
Tinnitus.
Feeling discomfort in the ear.
Balance problems.
Vertigo and dizziness.
Numbness on one side of the face.
Hearing loss in the affected ear usually occurs gradually.
Acoustic neuroma: causes
The most common causes of vestibular schwannoma include
1. Gene defect
Acoustic neuroma may develop as a result of genetic mutations in the gene that controls the growth of Schwann cells that cover the nerves. Although the exact reasons behind the occurrence of these mutations are not clear, there are some risk factors that contribute to the occurrence of this problem, which include the following: :
Prior exposure to radiation therapy in the head and neck area.
Chronic exposure to very loud sounds, and this may occur as a result of occupational reasons.
2. Genetic causes
In some cases, an acoustic neuroma may arise as a result of genetic causes related to a rare medical condition called Neurofibromatosis type II, which affects the nerves responsible for hearing and balance in both ears.
This disease is considered an autosomal dominant disorder, meaning that the probability of transmitting the disease from a parent to a child is 50%.
Acoustic neuroma: diagnosis
Vestibular schwannoma is usually difficult to diagnose in the early stages of the disease, and its symptoms may be similar to other health conditions associated with inner and middle ear problems, including Meniere''s disease.
In general, an acoustic neuroma can be diagnosed by performing the following tests
Ear examination.
Hearing tests, to measure the level and accuracy of hearing in each ear.
MRI or CT scan to confirm the presence of the tumor and determine its size and location.
Acoustic neuroma: treatment
There are a number of methods available that contribute to the treatment of acoustic neuroma, and choosing the appropriate method depends on several factors, the most important of which are: the size and location of the tumor, the speed of its growth, in addition to the patient’s general health.
In general, the methods available to treat vestibular schwannoma include the following
Monitor the condition through medical follow-up and periodic examinations if the tumor is small and does not cause severe symptoms.
Surgical removal of the tumor. Surgery is usually used if the size of the tumor increases or when symptoms worsen.
Radiation therapy if the tumor is small, in order to slow or stop the growth of the tumor and to preserve nerve function. This treatment is usually resorted to if the patient is unable to tolerate surgical operations, especially the elderly, or if there are remnants of a large tumor that was previously removed.
Cochlear implant in case of hearing loss.
Physical therapy to address problems related to balance and dizziness.
Acoustic neuroma: complications
The large size of an acoustic neuroma may cause significant pressure on the nerves and some parts of the brain, which in turn leads to severe or life-threatening complications, which include the following:
Constant headache.
Pain, numbness, or paralysis of the nerves and muscles of one side of the face.
Difficulty swallowing.
Hoarseness or harshness in the voice.
Temporary double vision.
Sudden hearing loss.
Ataxia on one side of the body, a condition in which there is incoordination of movements between the limbs.
Hydrocephalus, called hydrocephalus, is a condition that occurs as a result of the accumulation of fluid in the head, which leads to increased pressure inside the skull.
