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Acoustic neuroma - Overview

Alternative Names

Vestibular schwannoma; Tumor - acoustic; Cerebellopontine angle tumor; Angle tumor

Definition of Acoustic neuroma:

An acoustic neuroma is a noncancerous (benign), often slow-growing tumor of the nerve that connects the ear to the brain.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

These tumors are thought to occur when there is a defect in a gene that normally prevents tumors from forming. The cause of the genetic defect is not known. However, acoustic neuroma is often linked with the genetic disorder neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2).

Acoustic neuromas are relatively uncommon, but they are one of the most common types of brain tumors.

The tumor is usually found at the base of the brain.

Central nervous system

Reviewed last on: 4/23/2008
Luc Jasmin, MD, PhD, Department of Neurosurgery and Gene Therapeutics Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Abram S, Rosenblatt P, Holcomb S. Stereotactic radiation techniques in the treatment of acoustic schwannomas. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2007;40:571-588.

Bennett M, Haynes DS. Surgical approaches and complications in the removal of vestibular schwannomas. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2007;40:589-609.

Backous DD, Pham HT. Guiding patients through the choices for treating vestibular schwannomas: balancing options and ensuring informed consent. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2007;40:521-540.

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