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What is Vestibular Schwannoma?

A noncancerous tumour called an Vestibular Schwannoma forms on the major nerve that connects the inner ear to the brain. The vestibular nerve is the name of this nerve. Hearing and balance are directly impacted by the nerve's branches. Hearing loss, ringing in the ears, and balance issues can all be symptoms of pressure from an Vestibular Schwannoma. The Schwann cells that cover the vestibular nerve give rise to an auditory neuroma. Vestibular Schwannomas often grow slowly. On rare occasions, it could spread out rapidly and get big enough to put pressure on the brain and interfere with essential processes.

What is the Importance of Timely Treatment?

Timely treatment is important because Vestibular Schwannomas can exacerbate hearing loss and balance function even if they are not growing. Untreated Vestibular Schwannomas can result in a potentially fatal accumulation of fluid in the brain or in the compression of the brain stem and cerebellum.

What are the symptoms of Vestibular Schwannoma

Vestibular Schwannoma symptoms can take years to manifest and are frequently overlooked. The tumor's impact on the hearing and balance nerves may result in symptoms. Additionally, the tumour may exert pressure on the facial nerve, which controls face muscles, and the trigeminal nerve, which controls sensation. Vestibular Schwannomas can potentially impact brain structures or blood vessels. The likelihood of more obvious or severe symptoms may increase as the tumour grows.

The following are typical signs of an Vestibular Schwannoma:

  • Loss of hearing, typically occurring gradually over months to years. Rarely, hearing loss may occur suddenly. Usually, one side experiences hearing loss, or it is more severe on one side
  • Tinnitus in the afflicted ear (ringing in the ear)
  • Loss of equilibrium or unsteadiness
  • Lightheadedness
  • Numbness in the face and, in rare cases, loss of muscle mobility or paralysis.

Causes and Risk Factors of Tethered Vestibular Schwannoma

Causes

An issue with a gene on chromosome 22 may occasionally be the cause of auditory neuromas. The tumour suppressor protein that is normally produced by this gene aids in regulating the proliferation of the Schwann cells that coat the nerves. The reason of this gene issue is unknown to experts. Vestibular Schwannomas frequently have no recognised cause. People who have neurofibromatosis type 2, an uncommon condition, inherit this gene mutation. Tumours typically form on the hearing and balance nerves on both sides of the head in people with neurofibromatosis type 2. Bilateral vestibular schwannomas are the name given to these tumours.

Risk Factors

Having a parent with neurofibromatosis type 2, a rare genetic condition, is the sole known risk factor for auditory neuromas. However, only around 5% of occurrences of auditory neuromas are caused by neurofibromatosis type 2. Noncancerous tumours on both sides of the head's balancing nerves are a defining feature of neurofibromatosis type 2. Other nerves may also develop tumours. The term "autosomal dominant disorder" refers to neurofibromatosis type 2. This indicates that a child may get the disorder's gene from just one parent. Affected parents have a 50/50 probability of passing it on to their offspring.

Permanent side effects from an auditory neuroma could include:

  • Loss of hearing
  • Weakness and numbness in the face
  • Balance issues
  • Ear ringing
  • Sometimes the passage of cerebrospinal fluid between the brain and spinal cord is blocked by large tumours pressing on the brainstem. Hydrocephalus is the accumulation of fluid in the brain. The pressure inside the skull rises as a result.

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Vestibular Schwannoma Prevention Tips

There are presently no proven preventative methods for vestibular schwannomas because the actual cause is unknown, but early detection through routine doctor's visits is essential, particularly if you have a family history of neurofibromatosis type 2.

Treatment options for Vestibular Schwannoma

Options for treatment include

Gamma Knife Radiosurgery: One non-invasive treatment option for vestibular schwannomas (also called Vestibular Schwannomas) is Gamma Knife radiosurgery, which is considered a first-line treatment for many patients with vestibular schwannomas. It is especially effective for small to medium-sized tumours and aims to stop tumour growth by delivering a focused dose of radiation without requiring a surgical incision. This procedure often preserves hearing function while managing symptoms like dizziness and hearing loss associated with the tumour


Cost Start From USD 4000 - USD 7000Explore Options

Microsurgery: Neurosurgeons can do surgery on extremely small body parts thanks to specialised tools. Vestibular Schwannomas can only be removed with this procedure

Chemotherapy: In rare instances, medical professionals may prescribe bevacizumab (Alymsys, Avastin, MVASI, Zirabeva). Children with Vestibular Schwannomas may be able to hear for longer thanks to this medication's potential to decrease tumours. The medication is also used to treat radiation necrosis, a side effect of radiation therapy


Cost Start From USD 600 - USD 700Explore Options

Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy: Parts of the nerves that regulate balance may occasionally be removed during surgery. Therapy called vestibular rehabilitation helps you make up for the loss of those nerves and the functions they control.

Audiometry: A test of hearing. An audiologist, a specialist in hearing, performs this exam. One ear at a time is exposed to noises during the test. A variety of sounds with different tones are presented by the audiologist. Every time you hear the sound, you indicate. To determine whether a tone is scarcely audible, it is repeated at progressively lower levels. To test THE patient’s hearing, the audiologist could also show you different words.

MRI. To diagnose vestibular schwannoma, magnetic resonance imaging with contrast dye is typically utilized. Tumours as tiny as 1 to 2 millimetres in diameter can be found using this imaging examination. Computerised tomography (CT) can be utilised if MRI is unavailable.

MediRehab (chain of Rehab center - part of MediGence provides comprehensive rehabilitation services designed to support arthritis patients in <India>. These services include:

  • Personalized Therapy Plans: A specialised type of treatment called vestibular rehabilitation (VR) aims to address the fundamental and secondary issues brought on by vestibular diseases. The main goals of this exercise-based program are to lessen vertigo and dizziness, gaze instability, imbalance, and fall risk, as well as to address any secondary impairments brought on by vestibular disorders
  • Rehabilitation post Surgery: physiotherapy sessions focused on restoring hearing and balancing function
  • Nutrition Guidance: Consuming lean meats, avoiding red meat, and only eating chicken after the skin has been removed are all recommended for those with vestibular disorders. When it comes to milk kinds, people with vestibular disorders should go for skim milk because it is better for their health.

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Hospitals for Vestibular Schwannoma in India

Manipal Hospital, Dwarka: Top Doctors, and Reviews
Manipal Hospital, Dwarka

Delhi, India

Manipal Hospital Dwarka is a leading multi-super speciality tertiary care hospital offering world-class, affordable, and accessible healthcare. Backed by renowned doctors, advanced technology, and global standards in clinical care, the hospital provides comprehensive preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic services for all age groups. With 380 beds, 13 modular OTs, 118 critical care beds, and 24/7 emergency services, it combines excellence in patient care with innovations like AI, telemedicine, remote monitoring, and EMR—striving to become a fully digital, paperless hospital setting new standards in modern healthcare.

Dr. Rela Institute and Medical Centre: Top Doctors, and Reviews
Dr. Rela Institute and Medical Centre

Chennai, India

The mega-structure of RIMC serves as a hospital as well as an educational institute. Hence, it offers a huge array of medical services and facilities to cater to the needs of its patients.

Fertility Services - RIMC specializes in both male and female fertility and in procedures like IntraCytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), Uterine Transplants, Preimplantation genetics and Laser Assisted Hatching (LAH).

Anaesthesia and ICU - The ICU rooms in RIMC are equipped to serve the individual needs of every patient. They boast the largest liver transplant ICU in India and a specific ICU dedicated to pediatrics multi-organ transplants.

Radiology and Imaging Sciences - RIMC has the infrastructure to support high-quality scans including 128 Slice CT, Cardiac MRI, and 3 Tesla MRIs.

Blood Bank and Transfusion Medicine - RIMC has an active blood bank system with facilities dedicated to Blood Component Separation and Therapy. They use high-end technology like the Automated 1H500 Analyser and have a separate Therapeutic Apheresis Unit.

Advanced Endoscopy - Dr. Rela Institute and Medical Centre has one of the most advanced hospital facilities with an individual healthcare unit specifically dedicated to Endoscopy. Advanced procedures like Spyglass Cholangioscopy, Laser therapy, Endoscopic Ultrasound, Capsule Endoscopy, and special ERCP and EUS Suite.

Some of the other healthcare facilities, departments, and services offered by Dr. Rela Institute and Medical Healthcare are listed below:

  • Orthopaedics
  • Obstetrics and Gynaecology
  • Reproductive Medicine
  • Hepatology
  • Cardiology
  • Internal Medicine and Diabetology
  • Advanced Paediatrics
  • Ear Nose and Throat 
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Interventional Radiology and Imaging Services
  • Neonatology
  • Neurology
  • Liver Disease and Transplantation
  • Gastroenterology
  • Medical Oncology
  • Nephrology
  • Neonatology
  • Pathology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
  • Radiation Oncology
  • Pulmonary Medicine
  • Urology
  • Surgical Oncology
  • Transfusion Medicine

Apart from these facilities, Dr. Rela Institute and Medical Centre also have a preventive health check lounge, 72 consultation suites, and 360 degrees including lab facilities specifically for outpatients. 

Visit Dr. Rela Institute and Medical Centre in Chromepet, Chennai today and find the best care for you and your loved ones.

Indraprastha Apollo Hospital: Top Doctors, and Reviews
Indraprastha Apollo Hospital

Delhi, India

Indraprastha Apollo Hospital is known for delivering treatment to over 200,000 patients every year; 10,000 of which are generally medical tourists. The efficient team of doctors has the record of 99.6 percent success rate. Indraprastha Apollo Hospital deals in treatment of over 50 specialities.  

Let’s see some of the features of the infrastructure:

  • Spread over 15 acres, the hospital has 710 beds.
  • 6 beds dedicated to bone marrow transplant units with very strict infection control practices.
  • 64-Slice Scan coupled with data acquisition which provides highest temporal resolution
  • One of the hospitals to be using Da Vinci Robotics Surgery System
  • In South Asia, the Spect-CT and Pet-CT got their first installation at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in India
  • Technologies such as PET- MR, BrainLab Navigation System, PET-CT, Portable CT Scanner, Tilting MRI, NovalisTx, Cobalt based HDR Brachytherapy, Hyperbaric Chamber, DSA Lab, Fibroscan, 3 Tesla MRI, Endosonography, 128 Slice CT scanner are all installed at the hospital.
  • The Cancer Institute at Indraprastha Apollo is equipped with a highly advanced Radiation Oncology Center with ClinaciX, NovalisTx, and HDR-Brachytherapy.
  • It is equipped with the largest Sleep Lab in Asia, & has one of the largest Dialysis Units in India.
  • A large number of ICU beds than any other Private Hospitals in India.
  • WIFI is accessible across the whole campus.

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Why Choose India for Vestibular Schwannoma Treatment?

Here are some of the reasons for choosing India:

  • Due to advancements in medical facilities, such as minimally invasive surgical techniques and gamma knife radiotherapy procedures.
  • World-class experts include highly experienced doctors, JCI, and NABH-accredited healthcare institutions.
  • Compared to other countries, treatment in Indian hospitals is cost-effective.
  • Indian hospitals provide international patient services, including a multilingual support system.
  • Improved treatment methods and biological therapies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Acoustic neuromas or vestibular schwannomas are rarely life threatening. When treated effectively, patients are expected to have a relatively normal life span.

The nation's healthcare institutions offer top-notch treatment alternatives, guaranteeing successful outcomes for many patients. Vestibular Schwannoma is effectively treated in India. Hearing loss that has already occurred from the tumor cannot be reversed, but the remaining hearing can be preserved in some cases. Surgical tumor removal and gamma knife radiotherapy can often address balance problems, facial numbness and other symptoms.

Yes, many Indian hospitals offer the following for Vestibular Schwannoma treatment:

  • Advanced diagnostic tools like MRI, CT scan, electromyography, and PET scan for accurate diagnoses of Vestibular Schwannoma.
  • Skilled neurologist, surgeons and therapist performing surgery and Gamma Knife radiotherapy to treat Vestibular Schwannoma.
  • Comprehensive post-surgery care and rehabilitation for long-term health benefit

Always consider the following factors when selecting Indian hospitals:

  • Hospitals that are accredited (authorised by JCI and NABH).
  • Patient reviews and success rates.
  • Hospitals that provide seamless care to patients from abroad.

However, chronic, long-lasting symptoms like unsteadiness, dizziness, or spatial disorientation develop in around half of all individuals with the illness. In severe situations, a person may suffer irreversible inner ear damage or hearing loss.


Treatments options for Vestibular Schwannoma differs based on variables such as:

  • The location and size of the tumour
  • How hearing and balance are affected by the tumour
  • General health and age