Dr. John D. Lipani provides state-of-the-art neurosurgery in New Jersey and is dedicated to helping patients maintain healthy brain and spine function. His advanced treatment options include image guided brain surgery, complex and minimally invasive spine surgery, as well as non-invasive or knifeless radiosurgery.
Acoustic neuroma, AKA vestibular schwannoma, acoustic neurinoma, or acoustic neurilemoma, is a benign, slow growing tumor that develops on a cranial nerve that travels from the inner ear to the brain stem. This condition occurs when the body produces an excessive amount of Schwann cells, which normally surround nerves to form a protective and insulating layer. Because branches of this nerve directly affect your balance and hearing, pressure from an acoustic neuroma can often cause a variety of symptoms related to these functions.
Acoustic neuroma symptoms develop from the tumor pressing on an adjacent nerve, nearby blood vessel or brain structure. Hearing loss, ringing in the affected ear, loss of balance, dizziness and facial numbness or weakness are some of the most common acoustic neuroma symptoms.
Most cases of acoustic neuroma appear to be the result of a chromosome 22 malfunction. Usually, this gene produces a protein that helps control the growth of Schwann cells covering the nerves. The cause of this gene malfunction is unknown. Patients usually become symptomatic after age 30. The incidence of acoustic neuromas is increased in neurofibromatosis with bilateral acoustic neuromas being a characteristic of neurofibromatosis type II. To properly detect and diagnose an acoustic neuroma, your doctor may conduct a hearing test and a CT or MRI scan.
Acoustic neuroma treatment depends on the size and growth of the tumor. If your acoustic neuroma is not growing or is growing slowly and causes few symptoms, the only treatment necessary may be regular monitoring. Serial imaging and hearing tests are usually recommended every six to twelve months to determine whether or not the tumor is growing and at what rate.
If the tumor causes signs or symptoms, acoustic neuroma treatment may be necessary to prevent further problems. Acoustic neuroma treatment options generally include surgery, radiation therapy, or radiosurgery, a non-invasive or knifeless procedure that uses precision high dose radiation. Gamma Knife treatment and CyberKnife treatment are two popular radiosurgery options that offer successful outpatient acoustic neuroma treatment. The goal of acoustic neuroma treatment is to stop the growth of a tumor, preserve the facial nerve’s function, help with dizziness and balance problems and preserve hearing.
For more information about acoustic neuroma treatment, contact the office of Dr. John D. Lipani at (609)-890-3400 today!
