Acoustic Neuroma
Description of Acoustic Neuroma:
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). (Neuroma is derived from Greek, meaning "nerve tumor".) The term "acoustic"
is a misnomer, as the tumor rarely arises from the acoustic (or cochlear)
division of the vestibulocochlear nerve. The correct medical term is vestibular
schwannoma, because it involves the vestibular portion of the 8th cranial nerve
and it arises from Schwann cells, which are responsible for the myelin sheath in
the peripheral nervous system. Approximately 3,000 cases are diagnosed each year
in the United States with a prevalence of about 1 in 100,000 worldwide. It
compromises 5-10% of all intracranial neoplasms in adults. Incidence peaks in
the fifth and sixth decades and both sexes are affected equally.
Specific Acoustic Neuroma Information
Articles, questions and answers.
