Home About Shands For Healthcare Professionals Newsroom ShandsConnect Index
Search:


Central nervous system
Central nervous system


Acoustic neuroma

Definition:

An acoustic neuroma is a benign, noncancerous, often slow-growing tumor of the nerve that connects the ear to the brain (8th cranial or auditory) nerve.



Alternative Names:
Vestibular schwannoma; Tumor - acoustic; Cerebellopontine angle tumor; Angle tumor

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

These tumors are thought to arise when there is a defect in a certain tumor suppressor gene, which normally prevents tumors from occurring. 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. They affect approximately 1 out of 100,000 people per year.

The tumor is most commonly located at the base of the brain, where the auditory nerve leaves the skull cavity and enters the bony structure of the inner ear.




Review Date: 5/30/2006
Reviewed By: J.A. Lee, M.D., Division of Surgery, UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Illustrated Health Encyclopedia

En Español

Pregnancy Health Center

Shands Careguides

Surgeries and Procedures

Shands HealthCast