Vestibular Schwannoma | Ear Specialist Dr Rebecca Heywood

Tel: 65 6950 2869

Vestibular Schwannoma (Acoustic Neuroma)

What is Vestibular Schwannoma?

Vestibular Schwannoma (Acoustic Neuroma) is a noncancerous and usually slow-growing tumour that develops on the main nerve that conveys hearing and balance signals from the inner ear to the brain. As it grows, it can lead to hearing loss and tinnitus in one ear, vertigo or loss of balance and facial numbness or weakness. Rarely, it can grow large enough to press on the brain, affecting vital functions.

Large cystic right vestibular schwannoma

Right vestibular schwannoma

What causes Vestibular Schwannoma?

Vestibular Schwannoma is related to problems in a gene on chromosome 22. The cause of the fault is not understood. It can be inherited in a rare disorder, neurofibromatosis type 2, which creates the growth of tumours on the hearing and balance nerves on both sides of the head and on other nerves as well.

How is Vestibular Schwannoma treated?

The treatment of vestibular schwannoma depends on several factors including the size and rate of growth of the tumour and the patient’s age and general health. In many cases the tumour can be observed with serial MRI scans, sometimes for many years, to see if it is growing. If the tumour requires intervention, then the management options include specialised stereotactic radiotherapy to stop the tumour growing, or surgery to remove the tumour.