Clinical and Diagnostic Evaluation of Acoustic Neuromas

Acoustic neuromas are rare tumors of the vestibular nerve. Although they are benign, their location within the internal auditory canal and growth into the cerebellopontine angle result in significant morbidity and even mortality if left untreated. This location also results in a specific pattern of symptom development, which forms the basis for a modern clinician’s ability to accurately diagnose these tumors. The understanding of this symptom progression and appropriate clinical judgment will determine when further diagnostic tests are required to evaluate a patient for this rare tumor.