Saturday, February, 11, 2012

Acoustic neuroma

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Vestibular schwannoma; Tumor - acoustic; Cerebellopontine angle tumor; Angle tumor


Symptoms

The symptoms vary based on the size and location of the tumor. Because the tumor grows so slowly, symptoms usually start after the age of 30.

Common symptoms include:

  • Abnormal sensation of movement (vertigo)
  • Hearing loss in the affected ear that makes it hard to hear conversations
  • Ringing (tinnitus) in the affected ear

Less common symptoms include:

  • Difficulty understanding speech
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
    • Upon waking up in the morning
    • Wakes you from sleep
    • Worse when lying down
    • Worse when standing up
    • Worse when coughing, sneezing, straining, or lifting (Valsalva maneuver)
    • With nausea or vomiting
  • Loss of balance
  • Numbness in the face or one ear
  • Pain in the face or one ear
  • Sleepiness
  • Vision problems
  • Weakness of the face

Signs and tests

The health care provider may diagnose an acoustic neuroma based on your medical history, an examination of your nervous system, or tests.

Often, the physical exam is normal at the time the tumor is diagnosed. Occasionally, the following signs may be present:

  • Drooling
  • Facial drooping on one side
  • Unsteady walk
  • Dilated pupil on one side only (See: Eyes, pupils different size)

The most useful test to identify an acoustic neuroma is an MRI of the head. Other useful tests to diagnose the tumor and tell it apart from other causes of dizziness or vertigo include:

  • Head CT
  • Hearing test (audiology)
  • Test of equilibrium and balance (electronystagmography)
  • Test of hearing and brainstem function (brainstem auditory evoked response)
  • Test for vertigo (caloric stimulation)

Review Date: 05/31/2011
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; Seth Schwartz, MD, MPH, Otolaryngologist, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)