Wk11 Compression Of Nerves

Question 1

What is the internal acoustic meats?

Answer 1

Lies on the petrous ridge of the temporal bone- separates the posterior cranial fossa and inner ear

Question 2

What nerves pass through the internal acoustic meatus and their functions?

Answer 2

1. Cranial Nerve VII – Facial nerve
   sensory external acoustic meatus, taste from anterior tongue, lacriminal gland, salivary gland, palates, mucous nasal cavity, facial muscles and scalp
2. Cranial Nerve VIII – Vestibulocochlear nerve
   vestibular division = balance, cochlear division = hearing

Question 3

The manner in which the nerves might have become compressed

Answer 3

• Also known as acoustic neuroma or vestibular schwannoma
• Tumour grows on vestibulocochlear cranial nerve
• Non-cancerous (benign) brain tumour
• Tumours arise from Schwann cells (glial cells of the
peripheral nervous system) – literally grow on the nerve!
• Tumours tend to grow very slowly or not at all
• The tumour forms in a very small
• Diagnosis of this tumour would be done by hearing test and the MRI scan

Question 4

The signs and symptoms shown by the patient and anatomical reasons why

Answer 4

• Hearing loss in the side of the tumour
• Tinnitus in the affected ear
• Unsteadiness or loss of balance
• Dizziness (vertigo)
• Persistent headaches,
• Temporary blurred or double vision
• Numbness/pain/weakness on 1 side of the face (tumour
pressing on facial nerve)

Question 5

What might treatment include?

Answer 5

• Regular monitoring – small, slow-growing tumors may not require aggressive treatment
• Radiation
• Surgical Removal

Question 6

The likelihood of recovery

Answer 6

• Depends on size/growth of the tumor and the severity of the symptoms
• Majority of patients display normal/near normal facial nerve function 6 month post operation