An auditory neuroma, also known as a vestibular nerve sheath tumor, is a tumor that grows on the nerve in the inner ear. It is not cancerous and is benign. The tumor grows in the eighth cerebral nerve. This nerve passes between the brain and the inner ear through a bone tunnel (the internal auditory canal). The eighth cerebral nerve is important for hearing and balance.
As the tumor gets larger, it has less room to grow inside the internal auditory canal. It begins to compress the nerve and cause hearing or balance problems. The facial nerve may also be affected. An auditory neuroma usually occurs on only one side of the body.
What is the cause?
The condition is caused by an overgrowth of the cells that make up the outer layer of the nerve in the eighth brain (the Chevron cells). The cause of this overgrowth is not known.
What is the risk of the disease?
The disease is more likely to occur in:
People with a family history of neurofibromas. This is a condition that is passed from father to son (inherited). It causes benign tumors that can grow in many nerves, including the eighth cerebral nerve.
Woman.
What are the symptoms?
If the tumor is large enough to cause symptoms, the most common symptom is deafness. Sometimes, the hearing loss is sudden. Other signs and symptoms may develop over time. Possible signs and symptoms include:
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
A feeling of loss of balance or spinning (vertigo).
Headaches.
A large auditory neuroma may affect other nerves in the face and throat. This may cause facial weakness or numbness and tingling. You may also have difficulty swallowing.
How is it diagnosed?
The condition is diagnosed based on your symptoms, medical history and physical examination. The exam may include an exam to check your hearing and balance. Imaging of your inner ear or brain, such as an enhanced MRI of the inner auditory canal, CT scan or X-ray, will confirm the diagnosis.
What should I do for treatment?
Treatment for this condition depends on your symptoms, the size of the tumor, and your overall health. Treatment may include:
Observation to monitor the tumor. An auditory neuroma is a slow-growing tumor. Unless the tumor is large and causing symptoms, treatment may not be needed.
Medications, such as anticonvulsants or corticosteroids.
Radiation therapy to stop the tumor from growing.
Surgery to remove the tumor. If you have symptoms or your tumor is growing, it can be treated with surgery.
Follow these doctor’s instructions at home:
Learn as much as you can about your disease and work closely with your health care team doctor.
Take over-the-counter and prescription medications only if your doctor tells you to do so.
Maintain all follow-up visits as requested by your doctor. This is especially important if your auditory neuroma is being monitored for follow-up observations.
Follow up promptly:
You have any of the following symptoms that can get worse:
Tinnitus, vertigo.
Headache, hearing loss.
You have facial weakness, tingling or numbness.
You develop new symptoms.
You have trouble swallowing.
Seek emergency medical attention:
You experience severe dizziness.
You have difficulty standing or walking.
You suffer from a severe headache.
You pass out or lose consciousness.
You have a seizure.