Acoustic neuroma is a condition in which a benign tumor grows along the nerve that connects the brain and the ear. Symptoms associated with this condition, such as hearing loss or vertigo, typically arise after a patient is 30 years old, explain MedlinePlus health professionals. A doctor may recommend surgical removal of an acoustic neuroma, depending upon the location and size of the tumor. Patients should discuss acoustic neuroma surgery complications with a doctor prior to undergoing this procedure.
Headache
Patients who undergo acoustic neuroma surgery can experience frequent headaches as a complication of this procedure, explain health professionals with the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. Headache pain can be mild to severe and may occur in conjunction with incision site pain. As a patient begins to heal from surgery, headache complications typically subside. A doctor may recommend the use of an over-the-counter or prescription analgesic medication to help alleviate uncomfortable headache or incision site pain.
Facial Weakness or Drooping
During acoustic neuroma surgery, a patient's facial nerve can be inadvertently damaged. Facial nerve damage can cause complications of facial weakness or drooping following surgery. Affected patients can have difficulty voluntarily controlling facial or eye movements due to facial nerve damage. In certain instances, these complications of acoustic neuroma surgery will resolve without further medical intervention; however, health professionals with the Acoustic Neuroma Association of New Jersey report that approximately 24 percent of over 1,000 surveyed patients required subsequent surgery to repair facial nerve damage caused by acoustic neuroma surgery. Patients who experience persistent facial weakness should talk with a doctor to determine appropriate treatment options.
Cerebral Spinal Fluid Leakage
In a November 2001 study published in the journal "Otology and Neurotology," Dr. Slattery and colleagues reported that nearly 10 percent of patients experience cerebral spinal fluid leakage following acoustic neuroma surgery. Patients who develop cerebral spinal fluid leakage as a complication following surgical removal of an acoustic neuroma may require additional surgery to repair that leakage point. Additionally, leakage of cerebral spinal fluid increases a patient's risk of developing a potentially life-threatening infection called meningitis. Symptoms of meningitis require immediately medical attention and can include severe headache, stiff neck and high fever.
Hearing Loss or Balance Difficulties
Tumor removal can cause hearing and balance complications in treated patients, according to health professionals with the Acoustic Neuroma Association. Hearing loss complications following surgery are typically permanent. Certain patients can also experience frequent sensations of dizziness or vertigo, which may cause them to appear unbalanced while standing or walking. These sensations typically subside as a patient begins to recover from surgery.
References
- Acoustic Neuroma Association: Post Treatment
- University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority: Acoustic Neuroma Surgery
- Acoustic Neuroma Association of New Jersey: Post-Operative Conditions
- MedlinePlus: Acoustic Neuroma
- "Otology and Neurotology;" Perioperative Morbidity of Acoustic Neuroma Surgery; WH Slatter 3rd, et. al.; November 2001
