An acoustic neuroma (vestibular schwannoma) is a benign tumour of the hearing and balance nerve, located in the cerebello-pontine (CP) angle between the brainstem and the ear. Though non-cancerous, it gradually enlarges and compresses the hearing nerve, facial nerve and eventually the brainstem.
Surgery for acoustic neuroma is one of the most delicate operations in neurosurgery because the facial nerve is draped over the tumour. Dr. Nilesh Jain performs microsurgical excision of CP-angle tumours with the priority of preserving facial nerve function.
यह सुनने की नस की गांठ है। एक कान से कम सुनाई देना या कान में सीटी जैसी आवाज (tinnitus) इसके पहले लक्षण हैं। ऑपरेशन में चेहरे की नस (facial nerve) को बचाना सबसे जरूरी होता है।
Symptoms of acoustic neuroma
- Gradual hearing loss in one ear — the most common first symptom
- Ringing sound (tinnitus) in one ear
- Imbalance or unsteadiness while walking
- Facial numbness or tingling
- In large tumours: headache, vomiting and visual disturbance from raised pressure
Treatment options
Management depends on tumour size and symptoms. Very small tumours in older patients may simply be observed with serial MRI. Medium and large tumours, or tumours compressing the brainstem, are best treated with microsurgical removal.
Throughout surgery the facial nerve is carefully identified and protected. In selected small tumours or residual tumour, stereotactic radiosurgery is an alternative or supplement to surgery.
Why patients choose Dr. Nilesh Jain
Dr. Nilesh Jain (M.B.B.S., M.S., M.Ch.) trained in neurosurgery at the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute, Trivandrum — among India's premier neurosurgical centres — and has been a Consultant Neurosurgeon in Indore since 2010. He is Associate Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery (SAIMS) and holds a 4.8★ rating from 190+ Google reviews. Consultations are unhurried, investigations are advised only when needed, and surgery is recommended only when it genuinely helps.