Neurinoma of the auditory nerve

Neurinoma of the auditory nerve - acoustic neurinoma, vestibular schwannoma - a benign tumor growing from the Schwann cells of the auditory nerve. This pathology accounts for about 8% of all neoplasms in the cranial cavity and is diagnosed annually in about one person per one hundred thousand. It usually develops after the age of 30 and is one-sided, although there are cases of bilateral tumor formation.

Symptoms of neurinoma of the auditory nerve

For this disease are characterized by:

• hearing loss;
• noise and ringing in the ears;
• ear pain;
• paresis (numbness and weakness) of the facial muscles;
• vestibular disorders, dizziness, impaired coordination ;
• nausea;
• impaired vision (double vision, decreased reflex of the pupil to light);
• violation of salivation and loss of taste on the front of the tongue;
• violation of swallowing and vomiting reflex;
• headache;
• changes in consciousness.

This tumor grows slowly enough and at the initial stage (up to 2.5 cm in size) does not pose a threat to life and health, manifesting itself only in a decrease in hearing. In the second stage of the disease, impairments affecting the eyes and muscles of the face can be added to the symptoms. In the third stage, when the tumor reaches a size of more than 4 cm, due to a significant neoplasm pressure on the brain, serious neurological disorders, pain symptoms, and mental disorders occur.

Diagnosis of neurinoma of the auditory nerve

Diagnosis of neurinoma of the auditory nerve is often difficult and at the initial stage, when it manifests itself only by hearing loss , it can often be confused with neurosensory hearing loss.

For the diagnosis of the disease are used:

1. Audiography. It is used to detect hearing impairment.
2. Auditory test for the response of the brain stem. Slowing the passage of the signal almost always indicates the presence of neurinoma.
3. CT scan. Tumors measuring less than 1.5 cm by this method are practically not diagnosed.
4. Magnetic resonance tomography. It is considered the most reliable method for detecting a tumor and its localization.

Treatment of neurinoma of the auditory nerve

There is no medication for this disease.

To the conservative, without surgery, methods of treatment neurinomas of the auditory nerve include:

1. Observation. In the case of small tumor sizes, if it does not progress and the symptoms are insignificant or absent, a wait-and-see tactic is used to monitor the tumor and control its size.
2. Radiation therapy and radiosurgical methods. They are used for small tumors, but tend to increase, as well as in cases when surgical intervention is contraindicated (age over 60, severe heart or kidney failure, etc.). Side effects of such therapy may be persistent hearing loss or damage to the facial nerves. Immediately after radiotherapy, general deterioration of well-being, nausea, eating disorders, headaches, irritation of the skin and hair loss at the site of irradiation are possible.

In all other cases, surgical intervention is performed to remove the neurinoma of the auditory nerve. The operation is performed under general anesthesia, by trepanation of the skull, and lasts from 6 to 12 hours. Depending on the size and location of the tumor, it is often possible to partially or completely preserve the hearing and functionality of the facial nerves. In a hospital, a person is up to 7 days after the operation. A full rehabilitation period can take from 4 months to a year.

After the operation, a person should undergo an MRI every year for at least five years to make sure there is no relapse.