clinical features
Last reviewed 01/2018
The clinical features of acoustic neuroma are:
- occipital pain on the side of the tumour
- VIII nerve damage
- about 90% of patients presents with unilateral sensorineural deafness developing gradually over a period of months or years
- around 5% will have sudden hearing loss
- vertigo which may be quite mild and tinnitus (around 70%) are common (1)
- caloric paresis may be demonstrable.
- V nerve damage - depression of corneal reflex occurs early. Facial pain, paraesthesia and numbness develop (1) .
- VII nerve damage - facial weakness is unusual.(1)
- IX, X, XI nerve damage - rare; presents as dysphagia, change in voice, palatal weakness.
- compression effects of large tumours:
- on cerebellum - ataxia, loss of co-ordination on ipsilateral side, nystagmus
- on pons - contralateral hemiparesis
- on aqueduct and 4th ventricle - raised intracranial pressure, e.g. headache (1)
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