What is an Acoustic Neuroma?

An acoustic neuroma (or schwannoma) is a benign tumor which manifests itself on the sheath surrounding the eighth cranial nerve, affecting the functions of the inner ear. Because many of the symptoms are also indicative of other less serious ailments, acoustic neuromas are often misdiagnosed or undetected.

If untreated, an acoustic neuroma is life-threatening, making it imperative that individuals with persistent inner-ear problems be evaluated to eliminate the possibility of an acoustic neuroma.

Further information for your review:(from John Hopkins Hospital)
Acoustic Neuroma

Diagnosis

Three non-invasive tests for diagnosis are:

BAER Test (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response Test)
CAT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomography)
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

Detection and Diagnosis of Acoustic Neuromas (www.anausa.org)

Here's a handy Patient Checklist for you to use. (pdf document)

Get involved in your health care. (from Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) See the sections on:

• Speak Up
• Five Steps to Safer Health Care
• Helping You Choose

Treatment Options (Information and Choices)

There are three treatment options available to a patient. These options are

1. Observation (monitoring)
2. Microsurgical removal (partial or total)
3. Stereotactic Radiosurgery (single fraction) or Radiotherapy (multiple fractions)

Some important details that will result in treatment choice are:

• your age
• size of your tumor
• symptoms that you have
• your medical health

At this point you will probably be dealing with a medical specialist familiar with Acoustic Neuromas and the various treatment options. This is very important. He or she will offer you the best treatment option for your situation, taking all factors into account.

Surgery is the only option available for actually removing an Acoustic Neuroma. While a non-invasive treatment (like the gamma knife) sounds appealing, it is not a treatment of choice for everyone. Your medical specialist will help you with your decision, based on his/her medical training and experience.

We have chosen these references for you to learn more about the various choices avaiable:
National Institute of Health - What are Possible Adverse Consequences of Treatment and What are the Management Options for Each?

http://www.med.umn.edu/otol/library/aneuroma/treatmen.htm - University of Minnesota

Observation (Monitoring)

http://www.ukan.co.uk/bana/treatments/monitoring.htm - British Acoustic Neuroma Association

Surgical Removal

Surgical Intervention
http://www.anausa.org/treat.htm - Treatment Options for Acoustic Neuromas

Acoustic Neuromas and Skull Base Surgery - The Ear Research Foundation

http://www.acousticneuroma.neurosurgery.pitt.edu/ - Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh

http://www.ohsu.edu/som-Otolaryn/somweb/treatment.htm - Oregon Health & Science University

Stereotactic Radiosurgery or Radiotherapy

The International Radiosurgery Support (IRSA) (formerly The International Gamma Support Association) is an independent organization dedicated to providing educational information, emotional support, and physician and site referral on stereotactic radiosurgery... The different types of treatment.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery & Radiotherapy (The Cleveland Clinic)

Proton Beam Radiosurgery Massachusetts General Hospital

Radiotherapy Management Dr. R. Ojemann, Massachusetts General Hospital

Official site of the Leksell Gamma Knife - Articles, treatment, locations, support groups

Articles: Radiation Oncology and Acoustic Neuromas

John Hopkins Hospital:

• Radiosurgery
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Radiosurgery

Image-guided Radiotherapy (IGRT) patient treatment process