Acoustic Neuroma

An acoustic neuroma or vestibular schwannoma is a benign primary intracranial tumor of the myelin-forming cells of the vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII). The term "acoustic neuroma" is a misnomer, as the tumor never arises from the acoustic (or cochlear) division of the vestibulocochlear nerve.

 Acoustic Neuroma Pathogenesis

 Acoustic neuromas may occur sporadically, or in some cases occur as part of von Recklinhausen neurofibromatosis, in which case the neuroma may take on one of two forms.

     * In Neurofibromatosis type I, a schwannoma may sporadically involve the 8th nerve, usually in adult life, but may involve any other cranial nerve or the spinal root. Bilateral acoustic neuromas are rare in this type.

    * In Neurofibromatosis type II, bilateral acoustic neuromas are the hallmark and typically present before the age of 21. These tumors tend to involve the entire extend of the nerve and show a strong autosomal dominant inheritance. Incidence is about 5 to 10%. 

The usual tumor in the adult presents as a solitary tumor, originating in the nerve. It usually arises from the vestibular portion of the 8th nerve, just within the internal auditory canal. As the tumor grows, it usually extends into the posterior fossa to occupy the angle between the cerebellum and the pons (cerebellopontine angle). Because of its position, it may also compress the 5th, 7th, and less often, the 9th and 10th cranial nerves. Later, it may compress the pons and lateral medulla, causing obstruction of the CSF and increased intracranial pressure.

Clinical manifestations of Acoustic Neuroma

 The earliest symptoms of acoustic neuromas include ipsilateral sensorineural hearing loss/deafness, disturbed sense of balance and altered gait, vertigo with associated nausea and vomiting, and pressure in the ear, all of which can be attributed to the disruption of normal vestibulocochlear nerve function. Additionally more than 80% of patients have reported tinnitus (most often a unilateral high-pitched ringing, sometimes a machinery-like roaring or hissing sound, like a steam kettle).

 Large tumors that compress the adjacent brainstem may affect other local cranial nerves. Involvement of the nearby facial nerve (CN VII) may lead to ipsilateral facial weakness, sensory impairment, and impairment of glandular secretions; involvement of the trigeminal nerve (CN V) may lead to loss of taste and loss of sensation in the involved side's face and mouth. The glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves are uncommonly involved, but their involvement may lead to altered gag or swallowing reflexes.

Even larger tumors may lead to increased intracranial pressure, with its associated symptoms such as headache, vomiting, and altered consciousness.

Acoustic Neuroma Diagnosis

 Contrast-enhanced CT will detect almost all acoustic neuromas that are greater than 2.0 cm in diameter and project further than 1.5 cm into the cerebellopontine angle. Those tumors that are smaller may be detected by MRI with gadolinium enhancement. Audiology and vestibular tests should be concurrently evaluated using the Weber's and Rinne's test to assess for sensorineural versus conduction hearing loss.

 Acoustic Neuroma Treatment

 Indicated treatments for acoustic neuroma include surgical removal and radiotherapy.

 Conservative treatment

 Because these neuromata grow so slowly, a physician may opt for conservative treatment beginning with an observation period. In such a case, the tumor is monitored by annual MRI to monitor growth. Records suggest that about 45% of acoustic neuromata do not grow detectably over the 3-5 years of observation. In rare cases, acoustical neuromata have been known to shrink spontaneously. Often people with acoustic neuromata die of other causes before the neuroma becomes life-threatening. (This is especially true of elderly people possessing a small neuroma.)

 Since the growth rate of an acoustic neuroma rarely accelerates, annual observation is sufficient. Acoustic neuromata may cause either gradual or—less commonly—sudden hearing loss and tinnitus.

Surgery for Acoustic Neuroma

 Removal of acoustic neuromas may be performed using several approaches. Each approach has its advantages and disadvantages. Microsurgery for acoustic neuroma is the only technique that removes the tumor. Radiation treatment (discussed in another section) does not remove the tumor, but has the potential to slow or stop its growth. Surgery is the only treatment that will definitively treat balance symptoms associated with tumor growth, as the vestibular nerves are removed at surgery.

 Choice of surgical approach is based on the patient's age, medical condition, size of tumor, and preoperative hearing thresholds and speech discrimination, as well as other tests such as electronystamography, imaging, and auditory brainstem response testing. The patient's and surgeon's preferences also play a significant role.

 During removal of the tumor, the tumor along with the superior and inferior vestibular nerves are removed. This results in an acute loss of vestibular input to the brain from the operated side. However, vestibular function improves rapidly due to compensation by the other ear and other balance mechanisms.

 Surgery carries risk to the facial nerve which is monitored with facial nerve monitoring during the procedure. Best results (normal or near normal facial function) are more likely with small acoustic neuromas.

 Three surgical approaches are commonly used. The first is the translabyrinthine approach, which destroys hearing in the affected ear. Thus, it is often employed in patients who have poor speech discrimination in the affected ear. Any size tumor may be removed with this approach. There is no brain retraction with this approach, and so is often considered the safest route to remove the tumor. In patients with neurofibromatosis type 2 who undergo auditory brainstem implantation, this technique is used as it provides the most direct path of access to the lateral recess and cochlear nucleus, where the device is placed.

 The two other approaches suboccipital retrosigmoid and middle fossa) are hearing preservation approaches, which have a chance of preserving some or all of the hearing in the affected ear. Neurosurgeons often prefer the retrosigmoid approach, as they are frequently more familiar with it from training.

 The middle fossa approach is used for tumors typically less than 2cm in greatest dimension, where hearing conservation is to be attempted. This approach has the advantage over the retrosigmoid approach in its direct access to the lateral end of the internal auditory canal. Multiple reports have shown that the retrosigmoid approach cannot reach the lateral end of the internal auditory canal without violating the posterior semicircular canal, and hence destroying the hearing.

 A less common approach is minimally invasive endoscopic surgery. This approach is available in specialized centres. This technique is not widely used due to concerns over bleeding and the inability to remove tumors from the internal auditory canal with this method.

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