A benign tumor that forms on a nerve that connects the brain and the inner ear, an acoustic neuroma affects six to 10 million people each year, according to the University of California, Irvine's Department of Otolaryngology. One treatment option for an acoustic neuroma is surgery, which MedlinePlus points out may prevent paralysis of the face. While surgery for an acoustic neuroma helps alleviate some of the symptoms, complications are possible.
Hearing Loss
Since an acoustic neuroma forms on the vestibular nerve, patients can have problems hearing. With a small acoustic neuroma, the surgeon can remove it and possibly save the patient's hearing. But the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California points out that with a large tumor, the patient may have hearing loss. Since the acoustic neuroma forms on the vestibular nerve of either the right or left ear, the patient only has hearing loss in the affected ear, not the opposite ear.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak
With a large acoustic neuroma, it may block the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, which is the protective fluid that surrounds the brain. A complication of the surgery includes a temporary leak of the cerebrospinal fluid, in which the patient has the fluid dripping out of his nose or from the wound left from the surgical opening. The Keck School of Medicine explains that doctors can treat the cerebrospinal fluid leak with a pressure dressing, additional surgery or a lumbar drain, in which a doctor creates a drain from the head to the lower back region that removes the excess cerebrospinal fluid.
Facial Weakness
The University of California, Irvine points out that while surgery on an acoustic neuroma attempts to prevent facial paralysis, some patients may have temporary or permanent facial weakness after the surgery. The original facial weakness or paralysis stems from the tumor putting pressure on the nerves or muscles that control facial expressions. When the surgeon removes the tumor, the temporary facial weakness occurs from swelling of the nerves. If the nerves become damaged, the facial weakness can become more severe. The Keck School of Medicine explains that the temporary facial weakness can last for six to 24 months.
Tinnitus
Patients with an acoustic neuroma may experience tinnitus, or ringing in the ear. The Keck School of Medicine points out that the surgery rarely improves the tinnitus. Instead, some acoustic neuroma patients may have the same tinnitus symptoms as before, or the tinnitus can worsen.
Dizziness
The University of California, Irvine notes that after acoustic neuroma surgery, patients may experience dizziness or balance problems. Some forms of surgery for an acoustic neuroma removes the inner ear balance mechanism, which can affect patients' balance. The Keck School of Medicine adds that the dizziness can be severe for several days after the surgery, while the balance issues can last between one and four months as the other ear compensates for the changes.
Meningitis
The University of California, Los Angeles explains that after surgery for an acoustic neuroma, patients have a risk of developing meningitis. The condition is the inflammation of the brain and spinal cord membranes. This inflammation also causes changes to the cerebrospinal fluid. MedlinePlus notes that symptoms of meningitis include a stiff neck, nausea, fever and chills, severe headaches, confusion and sensitivity to light.
Other Complications
The Keck School of Medicine points out that after acoustic neuroma surgery, patients can have other complications, though they occur in less than 3 percent of cases. For example, if a patient has facial paralysis after surgery, he may also have eye complications, such as trouble moving his eyes. Patients may also mouth dryness, post-operative bleeding or a blood transfusion reaction. In rare cases, patients may die as a complication of the surgery.
References
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Acoustic Neuroma
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Meningitis
- Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California: Acoustic Neuroma
- University of California, Los Angeles: Acoustic Neuroma
- University of California, Irvine's Department of Otolaryngology: Acoustic Neuroma
