Loss of Vestibular Nerve

[toddnelson]

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?

[MarlaB]

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

[Greece Lover]

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?