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NumbnessPainTrouble moving part of the face
Is there a test for vestibular schwannoma? " � Yes. The doctor or nurse will do an exam and learn about your symptoms. He or she can order the following tests: � �
- A test called an "audiogram " � " � In this test, you put on a headset. A hearing specialist (called an "audiologist " �) plays sounds in one ear at a time. He or she asks you to signal when you hear the sounds. The test shows if you have hearing loss that could be from a vestibular schwannoma or another condition. It also shows whether both ears are affected the same way.
- Imaging tests, such as MRI or CT scans " � These tests create pictures of the inside of the body. They can show a vestibular schwannoma or other growth that is causing symptoms.
How is a vestibular schwannoma treated? " � Treatments include: � �
- Surgery " � Taking out the vestibular schwannoma can help you keep the hearing you still have. But if you already lost some hearing, surgery will not usually bring it back.
- Radiation " � This treatment uses high doses of X-rays to keep the vestibular schwannoma from growing and causing more symptoms.
- Watchful waiting " � This means you wait to see if your symptoms change, but dont have treatment right away. You get an imaging test every year. You will probably also have regular hearing tests. You might have surgery or radiation if the vestibular schwannoma starts growing quickly.
Doctors might recommend surgery or radiation if: � �
- You are younger than many people with vestibular schwannoma.
- You have a large vestibular schwannoma.
- You have a lot of hearing loss because of the vestibular schwannoma " � Without treatment, you could lose all your hearing. This is more likely if the vestibular schwannoma grows quickly.
Doctors might recommend watchful waiting if: � �
- You are older.
- You have a small vestibular schwannoma.
- You have not lost much hearing yet.
A vestibular schwannoma can come back after surgery or radiation. If you have either of these treatments, you will probably have an MRI or CT every year for up to 10 years. These imaging tests can show if the vestibular schwannoma is coming back. � �
All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. � �
This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. � �
Topic 83286 Version 3.0 � �
Release: 22.8 - C22.206 � �
� � 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. � �
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