Acoustic Neuroma

Acoustic Neuroma, also called Vestibular Schwannoma, is a slow-growing, non-cancerous tumor on the vestibulocochlear nerve, which affects balance and hearing. 

Symptoms: 

The symptoms may worsen as the tumor size increases. 

• Gradual hearing loss in one ear.
• Ringing or buzzing sounds (tinnitus) in one ear.
• Facial numbness, weakness, or tingling.
• Unsteadiness or balance problems.
• Rarely, changes in taste, swallowing difficulties, or voice changes in advanced cases.

Diagnosis:

• Audiometry: Detects hearing loss 

• Videonystagmography (VNG): Identifies involuntary eye movements caused by nerve compression.

• Brain MRI with Contrast: The gold standard for detecting tumors as small as 1-2 mm.

• Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR): Measures sound transmission through the auditory system.

Treatment:

• Monitoring: Small, slow-growing tumors may only require regular MRIs.
• Surgery: Techniques include:

1. Translabyrinthine Approach: For larger tumors, it results in permanent hearing loss but protects facial nerves.
2. Retrosigmoid Approach: Preserves hearing; used for all tumor sizes.
3. Middle Fossa Approach: Ideal for tiny tumors.
4. Endoscopic Resection: Minimally invasive but requires advanced training and equipment.

• Radiation: Non-invasive options like Stereotactic Radiosurgery, IMRT, or IGRT shrink tumors while minimizing damage to nearby tissues.