Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Right Acoustic Neuroma



Right extraxial cerebellopontine angle lesion with a tongue of tissue extending into the internal audirary canal.
An acoustic neuroma, also called a vestibular schwannoma, is a benign primary intracranial tumor of the myelin-forming cells of the vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII).Acoustic neuromas may occur sporadically, or in some cases occur as part of von Recklinhausen neurofibromatosis, in which case the neuroma may take on one of two forms. In Neurofibromatosis type I, a schwannoma may sporadically involve the 8th nerve, usually in adult life, but may involve any other cranial nerve or the spinal root. In Neurofibromatosis type II, bilateral acoustic neuromas are the hallmark and typically present before the age of 21. These tumors tend to involve the entire extend of the nerve and show a strong autosomal dominant inheritance. Contrast-enhanced CT will detect almost all acoustic neuromas that are greater than 2.0 cm in diameter and project further than 1.5 cm into the cerebellopontine angle. Those tumors that are smaller may be detected by MRI with gadolinium enhancement. Audiology and vestibular tests should be concurrently evaluated using air conduction and bone conduction threshold testing to assess for sensorineural versus conduction hearing loss. Indicated treatments for acoustic neuroma include surgical removal and radiotherapy.

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