Signs of the disease and treatment of neurinoma of the auditory nerve

1 Manifestations of the disease

If the neurinoma is small, then it can not disturb. The tumor can remain the same size and not grow. In these cases, treatment is not required, but it is important to regularly check with a doctor. Although it should be remembered that not always the symptoms correspond to the volume of the tumor. There are cases when a small tumor gives more manifestations due to the fact that it squeezes important organs and tissues.

Symptoms of the neurinoma of the auditory nerve are manifested as a result of tumor compression of the cochlear nerve, which is responsible for the transmission of sound to the brain. As a result, a person has a hearing loss, tinnitus may appear. Hearing can decrease gradually, and a sharp hearing loss is possible. Over time, the disease can lead to complete deafness.

If the pressure occurs on the part of the nerve responsible for the equilibrium, the patient may experience dizziness, a sense of instability, imbalance, a shaky gait. In cases where a large tumor, problems with the vestibular apparatus can manifest as nausea, vomiting, severe dizziness, so that the patient can not be in a vertical position.

In addition, the neoplasm can press on the facial nerve, which can cause aching facial pains and paresthesia. Sometimes they are very similar to toothache or trigeminal neuralgia. Later, paresis of facial muscles, facial asymmetry, numbness of the face, loss of taste on the front part of the tongue and violation of swallowing can occur.

Neurinoma can also squeeze a portion of the brain stem. Here are the vital centers. Therefore it can be very dangerous for life.

2 Treatment measures

Treatment of a tumor today consists in the application of several methods:

• waiting;
• radiation practice;
• surgical intervention.

The decision on the type of treatment is decided on an individual basis.

If a tumor of minimal size is detected, then treatment is not prescribed at first. It simply checks and monitors the growth of the tumor and its symptoms. Another observation is when the manifestations of neurinoma are small or elderly age or other factors give contraindications for surgical treatment.

Medical workers schedule periodic hearing tests. Even can carry out a tomography to monitor the increase of the tumor.

The next method of treatment is radiation therapy( the most effective method).Now there are several options. One of them is the Gamma Knife. This method is often used to treat brain tumors. He has the advantage that the effect is directed exactly to the tumor site. In this case, the patient does not make any incisions. Radiation therapy is used both to stop the growth of the neoplasm, and to treat those tumors that have remained after operations. This happens when they are very deep and the surgeon is very difficult to get them without damaging the healthy tissue. To determine how successfully the therapy has been performed, a tomography is prescribed.

When there is a threat of hearing loss, as well as disorders of the facial nerve, perform a surgical procedure.

Under general anesthesia, a cut and trepanation of the skull is made.

Because the operation is complex, the patient can recover from several months to a year.