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Home » Acoustic neurinoma

Acoustic neurinoma

An acoustic neurinoma or acoustic neuroma as it is popularly called, is a non cancerous or benign tumor which is usually developed due to the excessive production of Schwann cells. These Schwann cells have a tendency to push and have a negative influence on the nerves that are responsible for maintaining balance of our body. If the tumors increse in size then it may also push the facial nerves and the brain.

Types of acoustic neurinoma

Researches have proved that acoustic neurinoma can be categorized into two different types. The unilateral acoustic neurinoma causes problem in one ear only.
They are responsible for nearly 8% of the tumors that occur in the skull. The unilateral acoustic neurinoma is the result of damage of genes due to the environmental pollution.Though such tumors can develop at any age yet they are mostly common with those in between 30 and 60.

Bilateral acoustic neurinoma as is evident from the name affects both the ears. These disease is common with the teenagers and are sometimes seen among the adults too. But most of the time these disease is hereditary and are the consequences of genetic disorder which is known as neurofibromatosis-2 or NF2.

Diagnosis of acoustic neurinoma
It is quite difficult to diagnose acoustic neurinoma. Usually a patient suffering from such disease have to undergo various examination of the ear and some other hearing tests. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computerized tomography (CT) are the two chief methods of determining the size and actual location of the ear. If acoustic neurinoma is diagnosed in the early stages then the chances of getting well are high.

Treatment of acoustic neurinoma
All patients suffering from acoustic neurinoma do not undergo similar treatment. Usually the treatment depends on the age of the patient and the general health of the patient. The doctors try to get well acquainted on the medical history of the patient. As soon as the doctors know the extent and the stage of the disease they try to get an idea of the tolerance of the patient on which much of the treatment and therapies depend.

In certain cases surgery is required. But surgeries are usually avoided since complications may crop up resulting in the loss of hearing or balancing also damages facial nerves.

Radiosurgery is also one of the ways of treatments that helps in the reduction of the size of the tumors and also its growth. Radiosurgery is done on the adults who are suffering due to tumors in one or both the hearing nerves.

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