Acoustic neuromas, or vestibular schwannomas, are benign neoplasms originating from the Schwann cell sheath of the vestibular nerve. Approximately 10% of patients complain of atypical symptoms including facial numbness or pain and sudden onset of hearing loss. Moreover, patients with these symptoms are more likely to have large tumors due to delayed assessment.

Herein, we report a 54-year-old female patient with a history of progressive headache, imbalance, tinnitus, and sensorineural hearing loss. There were no abnormalities on tympanometry. Audiogram showed that the left ear had a normal hearing level. However, the right ear presented with minimal to severe high-frequency sloping sensorineural hearing loss. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed, and results revealed right-sided spheric mass forming acute angles with the petrous bone. Hence, the patient was diagnosed with benign neoplasm of the cranial nerves (cerebellopontine angle schwannoma). She underwent craniotomy and tumor excision with external ventricular drain insertion.

Keywords: Acoustic neuromas; Hearing loss; Tinnitus; Reterosigmoid craniotomy; Imbalance; SNHL