Acoustic Neuroma: understanding the condition and treatment options
Acoustic neuroma (sometimes known as vestibular schwannoma) is a rare condition that affects the balance and hearing nerve in the inner ear. It is a slow-growing, benign tumour that forms on the main nerve connecting the inner ear to the brain. In this article, we will discuss the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of acoustic neuroma, and what you can expect after a diagnosis.
What is Acoustic Neuroma?
Acoustic neuroma is a non-cancerous tumour that grows on the balance and hearing nerve in the inner ear. The tumour can grow to a certain size and then stop growing or it can continue to grow slowly over time. This slow growth usually does not cause any symptoms until the tumour is quite large.
Acoustic neuroma is a rare condition, affecting about one in 100,000 people. It occurs more frequently in people over the age of 40, but can occur at any age. There is a small genetic component to the condition, which means that it can run in families. People with a family history of the condition should be more aware of the symptoms and seek medical attention if they experience any hearing or balance problems.
The symptoms of acoustic neuroma can develop slowly over time, or they can develop suddenly. The symptoms of the condition can include:
Gradual or sudden hearing loss in one ear
Ringing in the ear (tinnitus)
Dizziness or balance problems
Weakness or numbness on one side of the face
Diagnosis and treatment of Acoustic Neuroma
Diagnosis of acoustic neuroma is usually made through a combination of medical history, physical examination, and imaging studies. An experienced Audiologist will perform a diagnostic hearing test to assess the level of hearing loss and determine factors such as a difference between the hearing in ears, sudden onset hearing loss or tinnitus or balance and vertigo symptoms. Other tests that may be performed include a CT or MRI scan which is organised by an ENT specialist.
The treatment for acoustic neuroma will depend on the size of the tumour, the symptoms, and the general health of the patient. There are three main treatment options for acoustic neuroma:
Observation: If the tumour is small and not causing any symptoms, the ENT specialist may recommend observation. This means that the patient will have regular scans to monitor the growth of the tumour.
Surgery: If the tumour is causing symptoms or is growing, surgery may be recommended. There are two types of surgery for acoustic neuroma:
Microsurgical removal: This is the most common type of surgery for acoustic neuroma. The ENT surgeon will remove the tumour through a small incision in the skull. This type of surgery has a high success rate and a low risk of complications.
Stereotactic radiosurgery: This is a type of radiation therapy that is used to treat acoustic neuroma. The patient will have a single treatment that will target the tumour with high-dose radiation. This type of treatment is usually only recommended for smaller tumours.
Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy may be recommended if the patient is not suitable for surgery or if they do not wish to have surgery. This type of treatment is usually only recommended for smaller tumours.
The recovery time after treatment for acoustic neuroma will depend on the type of treatment. Most patients will experience some hearing loss after the treatment, but this can be treated with hearing aids prescribed by an experienced Audiologist.
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