An acoustic neuroma (Vestibular schwannoma) is a slow-growing tumor on the eighth cranial nerve leading from the brainstem to the ear. It is a benign tumor (not cancer), but this condition can still cause severe problems near nerves and brainstem. This nerve plays a role in hearing and in maintaining your balance. Looking for the best acoustic neuroma care in Guntur, look no further, Dr. Rao’s hospital is the best micro neurosurgery hospital in Guntur and India, call us @9010056444.
Factors that may increase your chance of an acoustic neuroma include:
- Age: 30-60
- History of neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2)
- Family history of NF2
Acoustic Neuroma Symptoms
The first symptoms of an acoustic neuroma include:
- Gradual hearing loss in one ear with near-normal hearing in the other ear
- Decrease in sound or speech discrimination, especially when talking on the telephone with an affected ear
- Ringing in the affected ear is called tinnitus (non-pulsatile – not synchronous with heart)
- As the neuroma gradually grows more prominent, symptoms may include:
- Balance problems
- Facial numbness and tingling
- Weakness of the facial muscles on the side of the tumor (deviation of angle of mouth to inability to close the eyelid on the affected side)
If headaches or mental confusion occurs, the tumor may be life-threatening as it causes hydrocephalus (an increase in brain water secondary to compression on the fourth ventricle). Call your doctor immediately – the best neurosurgery hospital in Guntur (ph: 9010056444 or 9010057444).
Acoustic Neuroma Diagnosis & Treatment
Imaging:
- MRI scan – to know anatomy better
- CT scan
Tests on ears: These may include:
- Audiogram – to check the hearing loss or decrease in hearing
- Auditory brainstem response test
- Electronystagmography
Surgery
The size of the tumor and level of hearing in the affected ear will determine the type of operation you’ll need. As the tumor grows larger, surgery becomes more difficult because the tumor may have thinned out the nerves that control facial movement, hearing, and balance and may also have affected other nerves and structures of the brain.
Surgery offers immediate treatment but higher risks, including:
- Cerebrospinal fluid leak (5% to 17% risk)
- Meningitis
- Hydrocephalus
- Wound infection
Other common effects include a period of headaches or balance difficulties, or facial weakness. These risks increase with tumor size and the type of surgical procedure performed.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery
The goal of Stereotactic Radiosurgery on acoustic neuromas is to control tumor growth. The risks of radiosurgery are less than those of regular surgery. The benefits of this procedure are less hospital stay, no incision, daycare procedure (discharged on the same day), no anesthesia, no blood loss, and no incision-related and surgery-related side effects. Complications are on par or less compared with standard open or minimally invasive surgery. The recurrence rates are also comparable to or superior to gross total resection of the tumor.
Who is the candidate for stereotactic radiosurgery:
Tumors less than ten ccs or 3 cm in largest diameter are candidates for stereotactic radiosurgery.
Observation
Observation may be preferable to surgery for elderly or frail patients with slow acoustic neuromas as these tumors grow very slowly.
Those with smaller tumors may also decide to get frequent MRIs and audiograms every six months initially and then annually. In this situation, surgery can wait until tumor growth is confirmed or symptoms worsen.
Looking for the best acoustic neuroma or vestibular schwannoma surgery at Guntur, Dr. Rao’s hospital, the best neurosurgery hospital is the place of choice. call us at 9010056444 or 9010057444.