ANA Discussion Forum
Treatment Options => Microsurgical Options => Topic started by: toddnelson on February 19, 2024, 02:15:38 pm
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Can someone kindly explain to me why I would lose my vestibular nerve if I opted for surgical removal of my rumor? If they can monitor and try to preserve the auditory nerve, why can't they do the same thing with the vestibular nerve?
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My (limited) understanding is that the tumor grows in the sheath of the vestibular nerve. Beyond that, I don't know why people deal with balance issues so differently.
Check out some of the balance-focused webinars on the ANA video library. There are more in the member section.
https://www.anausa.org/learn-about-acoustic-neuroma/video-library
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One more reply from me (sorry!): The reason those nerves are removed is two fold. First, and most important, it's so the tumor doesn't come back. Second, I think, is that we make a better recovery long term with those nerves gone than with them damaged. Don't know if that makes sense, but I think those are the basic reasons. I know it seems weird, and I was surprised when I first learned it as well. Where do you live? Do you have an experienced ENT doc who's handling your case?