An Acoustic Neuroma is a benign tumour of the 8th cranial nerve. Usually the symptoms are very slight initially and if the diagnosis is made of a small tumour it may be possible to monitor it for many years.

The only need for surgery is if it presses upon vital tissue and produces symptoms other than deafness. For example:

• Facial numbness (cranial nerve 5)
• Facial weakness (cranial nerve 7)
• Dizziness and vertigo (cranial nerve 8)

If life-threatening pressure occurs the tumour needs to be removed immediately.

The facial symptoms vary and fall into 3 main groups:

• Facial paralysis  before surgery.
• Paralysis immediately after surgery.
• Normal face eye closure after surgery. Onset of symptoms a few days later.

 Following surgery eyecare is usually the last thing  on your mind, don’t ignore it at this stage.

The facial nerve needs testing and if it is growing back does just as well as the Bells Palsy. It may be a little slower as there is much more to recover.