Acoustic neuroma symptoms

These growths are located deep inside the skull and are adjacent to vital brain centers. The first signs or symptoms one notices usually are related to ear function and include ear noise and disturbances in hearing and balance.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms as the tumors enlarge, they involve other surrounding nerves having to do with more vital functions. Headaches may develop as a result of increased pressure on the brain.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms if allowed to continue over a long period of time, this pressure on the brain is ultimately fatal.

Great care is exerted before, during and after surgery in these cases in order to preserve life.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms the preservation of life is the most important objective of surgery in these most difficult cases. A secondary objective of surgery is to preserve for future life as many vital structures as possible.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms for some, a completely normal life results following surgery. For others, minimum or at times even maximum degrees of physical handicap may persist.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms

To accomplish the preservation of life with the least future physical disturbance, this surgery with pre and postoperative care is performed and assisted by a team.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms this team includes an internist, a neuromonitoring specialist, an anesthesiologist, a specially trained surgical nurse, a neurosurgeon and an otologist (ear specialist).Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms fortunately, great advances have been made in safely removing acoustic tumors including microsurgery, lasers and nerve monitors.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms TREATMENT OF ACOUSTIC NEUROMAS

Stereotactic radiosurgery is a recognized treatment option for selected tumors. It involves the delivery of a single dose of focused radiation.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms the growth of small and medium tumors may be arrested by this single dose of radiation. Large tumors cannot be treated by this technique.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms although no incisions are required, the risks include: loss of part or all remaining hearing in the treated ear, dizziness that may be permanent, brain swelling and facial nerve weakness

acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms

For most of those affected by an acoustic neuroma, surgery is the likely treatment option. There are three surgery variations (approaches) depending on the tumor size, location and the amount of hearing present.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms acoustic neuroma surgery requires many hours to complete and involves an overnight observation period in a neurological intensive care unit.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms vital signs and nerve functions are monitored during these 7 surgeries. Hospitalization after surgery varies from three to seven days.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms

The removal of an acoustic tumor is a major surgical procedure, with possibilities of serious complications, including death.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms risks and complications of acoustic tumor treatment vary with the size of the tumor. Larger tumors are associated with more severe and frequent complications.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms the risk involved with acoustic neuromas and their treatment must never be minimized. RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS OF ACOUSTIC TUMOR SURGERY

acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms

In small tumors it is sometimes possible to save hearing by removing the tumor. Most tumors are larger, however, and the hearing is lost in the involved ear as a result of the surgical procedure.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms therefore, following surgery the patient hears only with the remaining good ear. However, there are now new techniques to help cross the sound over from the deaf ear to the “good ear” such as CROS hearing aid, a bone anchored hearing aid (BAHA).Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms TINNITUS

In acoustic tumor surgery it is necessary to remove part or all of the balance nerve and, in most cases, to remove the inner ear balance mechanism.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms because the balance nerve usually has been damaged by the tumor, its removal frequently results in improvement in any preoperative unsteadiness.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms dizziness may occur, nonetheless, following surgery and may be severe for days or a few weeks. Imbalance is prolonged in 30% of the patients until the normal balance mechanism in the opposite ear compensates for the loss in the operated ear.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms some patients notice unsteadiness for several years, particularly when fatigued.

Acoustic tumors are in intimate contact with the facial nerve, the nerve which controls movement of the muscles which close the eyelids as well as the muscles of facial expression.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms temporary paralysis of the face and muscles which close the eyelids is common following removal of an acoustic tumor. Weakness may persist for six to twelve months and there may be permanent residual weakness.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms

Facial paralysis may result from nerve swelling or nerve damage. The facial nerve is usually compressed and distorted by the tumor in the internal auditory canal.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms careful tumor removal, with the help of an operating microscope, usually results in preservation of the nerve but nerve stretching may result in swelling of the nerve with subsequent temporary paralysis.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms in these instances facial function is observed for a period of months following surgery. If it becomes certain that facial nerve function will not recover, a second operation may be performed to connect the facial nerve to a nerve in the neck (facial hypoglossal anastomosis).Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms

In 5% of cases the facial nerve passes through the interior of the acoustic tumor. On occasions the tumor may even originate from the facial nerve (facial neuroma).Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms in either instance it is necessary to remove all or a portion of the nerve to accomplish tumor removal. When this is necessary it may be possible to immediately reconnect the facial nerve or to remove a skin sensation nerve from the upper part of the neck to replace the mission portion of the facial nerve.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms if this is not possible a second operation may be performed to help reanimate the face. EYE COMPLICATIONS

Should facial paralysis develop the eye may become dry and unprotected.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms care by an eye specialist may be indicated. It maybe necessary to apply artificial tears to tape the eye shut. When prolonged facial nerve paralysis is expected, implantation of a gold weight or spring into the eyelid helps keep the eye moistened as well as providing comport and improved appearance.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms OTHER NERVE WEAKNESSES

Acoustic tumors may contact the nerves which supply the eye muscles, the face, the mouth and throat.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms these areas may be injured with resultant double vision, numbness of the throat, weakness of the face and tongue, weakness of the shoulder, weakness of the voice and difficulty swallowing.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms these problems may be permanent. BRAIN COMPLICATIONS AND DEATH

Careful tumor dissection, with the help of an operating microscope, usually avoids complications.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms if the blood supply to vital brain centers is disturbed, serious complications may result: loss of muscle control, paralysis, even death.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms in our experience death occurs rarely as the result of the removal of small acoustic tumors and occurs in less than 1% in the larger tumors.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms POSTOPERATIVE SPINAL FLUID LEAK

Although extremely rare, it may be necessary to administer blood transfusions during acoustic tumor surgery.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms immediate adverse reactions to transfusions are uncommon. A late complication of a transfusion is vital infection of the liver (hepatitis).Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms this occurs in less than 5% of transfused patients. When this complication occurs, medical treatment is necessary, at times requiring rehospitalization.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms many patients will consider banking their own blood in advance of surgery. Please ask your doctor for details of such “auto-donations”.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms SIZE OF TUMOR

The operation for a medium sized tumor is performed under general anesthesia using an operating microscope.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms the surgical approach (translabyrinthine-suboccipital approach) is made through an incision behind the ear overlying the mastoid bone.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms the mastoid and the inter ear structures are removed to expose the tumor. While in most cases total removal is achieved.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms occasionally only partial removal is accomplished. The mastoid bone defect is closed with fat taken from the abdomen.

The operation for a large tumor is performed under general anesthesia using the operating microscope.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms the surgical approach (translabyrinthine suboccipital approach) is through an incision behind the ear overlying the mastoid bone.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms the mastoid, inner ear structures and a portion of the skull are removed to remove the tumor. If there are changes in blood pressure, pulse rate or respiration rate, the surgery is terminated.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms in this case a second operation to complete the tumor removal is usually necessary. The residual fragment of the tumor is small, it may simply be observed or treated with a gamma knife in some cases.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms

In large tumors it is often necessary to monitor the patient’s general status by inserting a small tube (arterial line) into an artery in the arm or leg.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms when this is necessary there may be pain in the hand or foot following surgery. Occasionally a blood clot forms in the artery following surgery.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms should this complication occur further surgery may be necessary to remove the clot. A very rare complication of this arterial line monitoring is loss of a finger, toe or even a hand or foot.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms

The translabyrinthine suboccipital approach sacrifices the hearing and balance mechanism in the inner ear. Consequently, the ear is made permanently deaf.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms although the balance mechanism has been removed from the operated ear the balance mechanism of the opposite ear usually provides stabilization for the patient in one to four months.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms PARTIAL VS TOTAL REMOVAL OF AN ACOUSTIC NEUROMA

Partial removal of the tumor, regardless of its size, may be necessary if the patient’s responses during surgery indicated disturbance of the vital brain centers that control respiration, blood pressure, or heart function.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms if signs of vital brain center disturbance develop during surgery, it is sometimes necessary to terminate the operation before the tumor can be totally removed.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms this will often allow these vital brain center functions to be restored. Once they are disturbed, however, they sometimes do not recover.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms if premature termination of the operation is necessary in the judgment of the operating surgeons, the remaining portion of the tumor may gradually enlarge again and produce symptoms.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms in this event, a subsequent operation might be necessary. This subsequent operation can often be accomplished without significant changes in vital signs.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms

In the event your tumor is partially removed, you will be so informed. Usually the first operation reduces the size of the tumor sufficiently so that it has a chance to separate away from the vital brain centers.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms it can, therefore, be successfully removed at a later date. In most cases we wait four to six months and then electively operate again for tumor removal.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms

The CROS (contralateral routing of sound) is an instrument that receives sound on the deaf side, amplifies it, than routes it to the good hearing ear.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms A small aid is worn on each ear. Although not everyone will find this type of amplification system helpful, with sufficient need, and motivation, the patient usually will realize improved hearing performance with a CROS aid.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms

Another option is the bone-anchored hearing aid, or BAHA. The BAHA is a partially implanted hearing devise that uses 3 or 4 millimeter long titanium screw placed in the skull behind the deafened ear to anchor a sound processor.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms it is similar to dental implants used to anchor dentures in the mouth. The sound processor sends sound waves through the skull from the deafened side to the hearing ear.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms NON-SURGICAL ALTERNATIVES OBSERVATION

In selected cases, tumors may be monitored for growth over a period of time since a substantial number of these benign tumors seem to stop growing after reaching a certain size.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms among the scenarios where tumors may be routinely monitored include: incidentally discovered tumors (i.E. Tumors found on scans that are done for other reasons), or small or medium tumors in the elderly or infirm.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms large tumors are rarely, if ever, observed. ‘GAMMA KNIFE’ IRRADIATION

The growth of small and medium tumors may be arrested by a single dose of radiation given by the ‘gamma knife’ machine.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms large tumors cannot be treated by this technique. Although no incisions are required, the risks include: loss of part or all remaining hearing in the treated ear, dizziness that may be permanent, brain swelling and facial nerve weakness or paralysis.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms there is a slight chase as with any radiation that a benign tumor could become malignant. CONCLUDING REMARKS

Many patients have unilateral hearing loss, head noise, and balance difficulties.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms rarely are these symptoms due to an acoustic tumor. Unfortunately, a very careful check of all patients with these symptoms does not always result in an early diagnosis of acoustic tumors.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms in some cases, the tumor becomes relatively large before a definite diagnosis can be established. The problem must be faced as it exist at the time of diagnosis and acceptance made of whatever risks are necessary to remove these tumors.Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms the risks of surgery are less than the risk of leaving the tumor untreated.

Acoustic neuroma signs and symptoms