Acoustic Neuroma is a noncancerous or benign tumor of the 8th cranial nerve. Acoustic Neuroma is also called Vestibular Schwannoma. This type of tumor is usually slow growing. The exact cause of Acoustic Neuroma is unknown. The few patients I have seen in MRI that presented with hearing loss and ringing in their ear's turned out to be negative, which is great.
Other Symptoms include:
continuous inner ear problems
difficulty in balance
dizziness
ear pressure
hearing loss
ringing in ear (tinnitus)
MRI and CT are great test that patients with these symptoms can have to help diagnose Acoustic Neuroma.
Treatment can range from anywhere to just observation, to surgery or radiation therapy. Since these tumors are benign, some patients may just want to keep an eye on it over time depending on patients age and size of tumor. Other patients may choose to have surgery to remove the tumor. Some may choose radiation therapy, rarely does this get rid of the tumor but shrinks the tumor. Most patients that have radiation therapy have to follow-up because the tumor could continue to grow.
For more information on the images you can to these web sites: www.neuro.utmem.edu and www.cedars-sinai.edu.
