Acoustic neuroma is a benign tumor affecting the nerves that run from the inner ear to the brain.
When these cells begin to grow and multiply at an abnormal rate, an acoustic neuroma can occur.
Acoustic neuroma is more prevalent if you haveneurofibromatosis punch in 2(NF2).
BSIP / UIG / Getty Images
If you are diagnosed with NF2, your risk increases to 2 out of 10,000 people.
In either case, acoustic neuroma tends to occur between 50 to 70 years of age.
Symptoms
Acoustic neuroma inhibits the normal function of the nerves responsible for hearing and balance.
CT may be used in seeing tumors that are larger than 2 cm.
Treatment
Treatment may involve surgical removal of the tumor.
This is particularly true if the tumor is very large.
Other options for treatment involve radiation therapy or radiosurgery.
Both of these treatments are aimed at reducing the size of the tumor.
Failure to treat acoustic neuroma can lead to permanent hearing and balance problems.
Delaying treatment too long though may result in irreversible damage.
Also known as:acoustic neurinoma, vestibular schwannoma, auditory tumor
Ferri, FF.
Ferri’s Clinical Advisor 2017.
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.
Vestibular Schwannoma (Acoustic Neuroma) and Fibromatosis.
Long-term mobile phone use and acoustic neuroma risk.
25(2):233-41. doi:10.1097/EDE.0000000000000058
