The diagnosis of an acoustic neuroma begins with a complete history, physical examination, and conventional audiologic evaluation. Following this, if there are any indications of tumor, an auditory brainstem response (ABR) test, is usually perfomred by the audiologist. This uses a sophisticated computerized audiometer to analyze the electrical activity of the hearing nerves on both sides to determine if there is a normal conduction of neural signals to the brain. If the conduction is slowed down on one side, this may indicate a tumor. CAT scanning or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans are sophisticated imaging methods used to determine (by picture) the cerebellopontine angle region of the brain to determine if there is an acoustic neuroma present. At times, an electronystagmagram (test of the balance system) may be used to determine the involvement of the tumor with the balance nerves.
At this time, the primary treatment used to cure a patient with an acoustic neuroma is surgical removal. With the use of an operating microscope and lasers, the Neurotologist and Neurosurgeon are able to remove the tumor with some preservation of hearing in most cases. The size of the tumor, hearing status, patient’s age, and health determine which surgical approach is utilized.