Acoustic neuroma/vestibular schwannoma

An acoustic neuroma is a benign tumour on the balance nerve, located between the inner ear (containing the hearing and balance organs) and its entry into the brain in the brainstem region. The correct medical term is vestibular schwannoma, as the tumour arises from the nerve sheaths (schwannoma).

Symptoms

Slowly progressive hearing loss on one side

Occasional dizziness and noises in the ear (tinnitus)

Rarely headaches, seizures or disturbances of consciousness

Other information

Multidisciplinary consultation: diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care are provided in an interdisciplinary clinic by specialties such as ear, nose and throat medicine, neurosurgery and radiotherapy. Functional tests of hearing and balance are performed. Individualised treatment is proposed based on the tumour diagnosis and follow-up checks.

Treatment options

Surgery: the operation is performed in the operating theatres of the Department of Ear, Nose and Throat Medicine at Klinikum Bad Lippspringe by doctors from Kopfzentrum Bielefeld. Monitoring of cranial nerve function during the operation.

After the procedure

Regular follow-up examinations with functional tests and imaging take place after surgery. Long-term follow-up examinations follow a structured follow-up care plan.