Acoustic Neuroma

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is it? An acoustic (uh-ku-stik) neuroma (neer-o-muh) is a benign (buh-nin) tumor of a nerve in the brain. It is also called a vestibular (ves-tih-bew-ler) schwannoma (sh-waw-no-muh). A benign tumor means that it is not cancer and does not spread to other parts of your body. An acoustic neuroma is usually only on one side of your brain and effects only one ear. In some genetic (inherited) diseases, both ears can be involved. The tumor causes hearing loss and other more serious problems as it grows larger.

Causes: Acoustic neuromas may be inherited (passed from parent to child). It is believed that acoustic neuromas form when one special gene stops working. A gene is a piece of DNA that tells your body what to do or what to make. Sometimes it is not known what causes acoustic neuromas.

Signs and Symptoms: The signs and symptoms of an acoustic neuroma are caused as the tumor grows. The symptoms are usually only in one ear or on one side of your face. As the tumor gets larger, it presses on nerves and other tissues nearby in the brain.

• Following are the early signs of an acoustic neuroma.
  
  
  • Hearing loss.
    
    
  • Tinnitus (ringing in your ear).
    
    
  • Sounds are distorted (fuzzy) and off key.
  
  
• Following are the later signs and symptoms as the acoustic neuroma gets bigger.
  
  
  • Difficulty tasting things.
    
    
  • Diplopia (double vision).
    
    
  • Dizziness.
    
    
  • Eyes do not blink as often as they should and do not make enough tears
    
    
  • Face may become weak or paralyzed (cannot move) on one or both sides
    
    
  • Face may also hurt on one or both sides.
    
    
  • Headaches.
    
    
  • Trouble swallowing and speaking.
    
    
  • Tongue begins to twitch without control.
    
    
  • Tiredness (fatigue), confusion, and finally coma.

• Following are some of the tests you will need to help caregivers find out where and how large the acoustic neuroma is. Ask your caregiver for more information about these tests.
  
  
  • Audiometry (aw-d-aw-muh-tree) Studies: These tests help caregivers see if you can hear the difference in pure-tone and speech.
    
    
  • Auditory (aw-dih-tore-e) Brainstem Response (ABRs): ABR is also called Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER). This test measures the electrical activity of the hearing nerve between the inner ear and the brain. A clicking sound is presented to one ear at a time. The electrical activity of this signal is recorded by electrodes. The average time of your response is measured and compared to normal data.
    
    
  • CT Scan: This test is also called a "CAT" scan. A special x-ray machine uses a computer to take pictures of your brain. Before taking the pictures, you may be given dye through an IV in your vein. The dye helps the brain show up better in the pictures. People who are allergic to shellfish (lobster, crab, or shrimp) may be allergic to this dye. Tell your caregiver if you are allergic to any of these.
    
    
  • MRI: This test is also called magnetic resonance (reh-zuh-nuns) imaging. During the MRI 3-D (three dimensional) pictures are taken of your ear canal, inner ear, and brain. Caregivers use these pictures to look for the acoustic neuroma.
  
  
• Following are the types of treatment available for acoustic neuromas. Which treatment is best for you depends on your age, the size of your tumor, how healthy you are, and how bad your hearing has gotten.
  
  
  • Wait and Watch. You and your caregiver may decide to wait and watch the tumor. You will have repeated MRIs to see if the tumor is getting larger.
    
    
  • Radiosurgery. X-rays are used to shrink the tumor and try to stop it from growing any more. This is not a cure and you may need more radiosurgery or microsurgery later.
    
    
  • Microsurgery. This surgery can be done immediately or after watching the tumor over time. Saving your hearing and the nerve that controls your face muscles is the goal of microsurgery. Ask your caregiver for the CareNotes™ handout for information about acoustic neuroma microsurgery.

• Acoustic Neuroma Association
  600 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 108
  Cumming, GA 30041-6899
  Phone: 1-770-205-8211
  Web Address: http://anausa.org