What can I expect after acoustic neuroma surgery?

Temporary facial paralysis or weakness is common after surgery and may persist for 6 to 12 months. Those with facial weakness will need to take extra care of their eye with artificial tears and lubricant until facial nerve function improves. Facial nerve function is directly related to the size of the tumor.

Does acoustic neuroma affect personality?

The psychiatric signs and symptoms reported in acoustic neuroma patients are usually described as transient, and these include mood changes, agitation, persecutory delusions, hallucinations, and memory loss and confusional episodes.

Can you live a normal life with acoustic neuroma?

The patient may choose to live with the acoustic neuroma as long as it is not a life-threatening condition rather than risk further hearing loss that can potentially occur from therapy. If an acoustic neuroma eventually causes symptoms, then radiation therapy or microsurgery may be necessary.

Does balance return after acoustic neuroma surgery?

Dizziness may occur, nonetheless, following surgery and may be severe for days or a few weeks. Imbalance is prolonged in 30% of the patients until the normal balance mechanism in the opposite ear compensates for the loss in the operated ear.

How successful is surgery for acoustic neuroma?

In the immediate postoperative period, 62.1% of patients displayed normal or near-normal facial nerve function (House-Brackmann Grade 1 or 2) after surgery for acoustic neuromas. This number rose to 85.3% of patients at 6 months after surgery.

Is acoustic neuroma surgery high risk?

As with any procedure, there are risks involved with acoustic neuroma treatment. Some patients might experience facial paralysis, spinal fluid leak, or, rarely, a brain stem injury, depending on the tumor size and location, as well as the type of procedure.

How successful is acoustic neuroma surgery?

Is surgery the best option for acoustic neuroma?

Surgery for acoustic neuroma has developed over the years with a corresponding reduction in intraoperative and perioperative morbidity, and better preserved facial nerve and hearing functions. 1 The goal of surgery today is complete removal of the tumor with no further morbidity.

Do you lose hearing after acoustic neuroma surgery?

Can hearing loss be restored after removing an acoustic neuroma? Sometimes, you may lose your hearing as a result of the tumor or surgery. In those cases, you usually can’t regain your hearing. Your healthcare provider can talk to you about devices that can help if you lost hearing in one ear.

Is an acoustic neuroma serious?

Large acoustic neuromas can be serious because they can sometimes cause a life-threatening build-up of fluid in the brain (hydrocephalus). But it’s rare for them to reach this stage. Many grow very slowly or not at all, and those that grow more quickly can be treated before they become too big.