Previous Section
Diagnosis of Acoustic Neuromas
Signs and Symptoms of Acoustic Neuromas
Some patients with acoustic neuromas complain of headaches which may at times be accompanied by nausea and/or vomiting. It is estimated that headaches may be experienced by 50-60% of patients at the time of diagnosis. Headaches may be indicative of elevated intracranial pressure (pressure within the skull) and are usually associated with late stage tumor growth. The headaches may develop under certain circumstances including:
- Upon waking in the morning
- May wake up the patient during the night
- Exacerbated by reclining or lying down
- Exacerbated by standing up
- Exacerbated by coughing, sneezing, straining, or lifting
- May be accompanied by nausea and/or vomiting
Swallowing Difficulties
If the 9th, 10th, or 12th cranial nerves are compressed, a person may experience difficulty swallowing and/or speaking. Difficulty swallowing can also be related to pressure against the trigeminal nerve.
Life-Threatening Symptoms
When a large tumor significantly compresses or distorts the brainstem, symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, and lethargy that can lead to coma, respiratory depression, and death. Immediate medical attention should be sought for the patient. Increased cranial pressure can lead to papilledema (swelling of the optic nerve) and life-threatening hydrocephalus (an abnormal increase in the amount of cerebrospinal fluid within the ventricles of the brain).
