Vestibular schwannoma / acoustic neuroma

The vestibular schwannoma or acoustic neuroma, is a benign tumour arising from the 8th cranial nerve, the nerve that controls hearing and balance.

1/100 patients with unilateral sensorineural hearing loss and/or tinnitus are affected by this condition.  Management can involve observation, radiotherapy or surgery. Early diagnosis (normally with Magnetic Resonance Imaging, MRI, unless contraindicated) is important in order guarantee optimum management.