Acoustic neuromas are benign, slow-growing tumours arising from the Schwann cells that surround the vestibular nerve in the internal acoustic meatus. Therefore, pathologically they are termed vestibular schwanno-mas. The tumour develops in the nerve sheath and exerts its effects mainly through compression of the nerve rather than invading it. As the tumour grows, it spreads beyond the bony internal acoustic meatus causing progressive compression of other cranial nerves and eventually of the brain itself. Early diagnosis of these tumours improves patient morbidity and mortality, as a wider range of management options can be offered. This article is intended as an overview of acoustic neuroma: covering its diagnosis, investigation and management
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