How To Deal With Acoustic Neuroma

Acoustic neuroma refers to a non-malignant (benign) development that arises from the covering around the 8th cranial nerve. This nerve is among the 12 pair of cranial nerves that start from the brain and elongate by passing through the skull’s openings. This is an exception to the remaining nerves of the body that first origin from the spinal cord, pass through the vertebra, and are then connected to the brain.

The 8th cranial nerve is also known as the ‘vestibulocochlear’ nerve, which is responsible for hearing and balance. It is actually divided into two parts. One part of the nerve aids in sending sound information, while the other part is concerned with transmitting balance information to the brain. This information is collected from the hearing and balance organs present in the inner ear.

Logically speaking, the term ‘acoustic neuroma’ is improper because of the following two reasons:

• Tumour arises on the covering of the nerve, not on the nerve itself
• Tumor is basically on the part that is concerned with balance, not sound

Overlooking these logical errors, the name has dwelled. Exact acoustic neuromas occur with its companion namely, neurofibromatosis 2, which is a very rare hereditary condition wherein several cranial nerve tumours occur.

The growth of tumors is gradual that is extended over a period of years. After massive growth, they exert pressure on the normal brain tissue. Not only this, they have the capacity to press on 5th or ‘trigeminal’ nerve in the same area. This nerve is associated with the facial sensation.

Acoustic Neuroma Symptoms

According to the place of tumor along the nerve, the symptoms will be revealed. This also helps in identifying the nerves and brain tissues that are pressed on first by the tumor. Here are the symptoms of acoustic neuroma.

• Low hearing sense in one of the ears, which is usually dim in the starting and increases gradually
• Ear noise
• ‘Tinnitus’ in one of the ears
• Shakiness
• Balance-related problems due to tumor on the balance part
• Facial numbness and itchiness if the tumor is huge and presses on the 5th cranial nerve
• Headaches, inept walking, and mental confusion if the pressure is on the brain

Acoustic Neuroma Diagnosis

Frankly speaking, acoustic neuroma is not that common because of the rate of its diagnosis. You will be surprised to know that it is diagnosed once in a year per 1,00,000 people. Making a contradictory statement, as it is a fact, small acoustic neuromas without exhibiting any symptoms, is believed to be found in up to approximately 3 percent of the senior citizens. Another fact to believe is that it is the hereditary type that might result in these types of tumors. Listed are diagnosis performed to determine the existence of the tumor.

• Usual hearing tests might be conducted that help in recognizing the loss of hearing and speech discrimination. In this symptom, the victim is able to listen to the sound in that particular ear, but cannot comprehend what is being spoken.
• In few cases, an Auditory Brainstem Response test (ABR) might be conducted. Due to this test, the doctor can determine the speed of an electric impulse that passes from the inner ear to the brain. If the patient is suffering from acoustic neuroma, the speed of this impulse will be reduced, making the test positive.
• The most common scan to detect acoustic neuroma is Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) with a contrast dye.

Acoustic Neuroma Treatment

Until date, there is no medication that discovered that has a significant impact on decreasing the size of tumor. However, listed are the following three recommended options.

• Traditional Supervision or ‘Wait and See’ Approach
  In this case, episodic monitoring is done through serial hearing tests and/or MRI scans and is useful for tumors whose size is less than 1 cm.
• Radiation Treatment
  It is undertaken when there is lot of risk involved in surgery due to medical problems.
• Surgical Removal of the Tumour
  It is the highly recommended treatment that prevents loss of hearing for most of the victims. The surgery is performed by a neurosurgeon and neuro-otologist who is expert in dealing with hearing and nervous system disorders.

Treatment Risks

To caution you, let me tell you that all the listed treatments involve certain risks. These risks are as follows:

• Paralysis of one side of the face due to damage of facial nerve damage from the surgery. This is because the facial nerve passes across the tumor and is responsible for controlling the side muscles of the face.
• Damage to other nerves that control eye movement and swallowing process during the surgery. This is because the tumor can interfere with the surrounded nerves and other structures of the nervous system.
• Vertigo due to elimination of the tumor, which might have an impact on the balance.
• Total loss of hearing sense in the affected ear. Actually, this is dependent on the way the surgical treatment is carried out and the technical problems involved in the victim’s case.

The involved risks must be completely discussed with the victim before the surgery. To be positive with these risks, there are high chances for these to reduce if there is highly experienced surgical team who will perform the operating of acoustic neuroma.

Popular, but Effective Treatment

There is an interesting, but accurate X-ray treatment known as ‘stereotactic radiotherapy’. In this treatment, the X-rays are directed exactly to the location of the tumour. It is said that this therapy, when combined with surgery, provides ideal results by reducing the tumor size prior to the surgery. However, this therapy is still under further research.

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