Acoustic Neuroma Glossary
Auditory brainstem response
Description
a special hearing test done while a patient is hearing clicks or certain tones.
Cerebellum
Description
portion of the brain found in the posterior fossa which regulates fine motor coordination
Internal auditory canal
Description
a bony canal which contains the cochlear, vestibular, and facial nerves
Middle Fossa approach
Description
a hearing preservation approach which allows visualization of the roof of the internal auditory canal for removal of small tumors. This approach involves a craniotomy above the ear.
Myelin
Description
a substance which insulates nerves and allows for more efficient transmission of electrical signals
Saccule
Description
part of the inner ear responsible for gathering information relating to linear acceleration of the head
Schwann cells
Description
type of cell which coats the peripheral segment of nerves and produces a substance called myelin
Semicircular canals
Description
part of the inner ear involved in gathering information on head motion
Suboccipital approach
Description
a hearing preservation approach which involves a craniotomy far behind the ear that allows visualization of the posterior portion of the internal auditory canal.
Translabyrinthine approach
Description
an approach which involves an incision behind the ear and a craniectomy through the semicircular canals of the inner ear. This allows visualization of the posterior aspect of the internal auditory canal. Hearing is always lost.
About Dr. Prasad
Dr. Sanjay Prasad MD FACS is a board certified physician and surgeon with over twenty years of sub-specialty experience in Otology, Neurotology, advanced head and neck oncologic surgery, and cranial base surgery. He is chief surgeon and founder of the private practice, Metropolitan NeuroEar Group, located in the metropolitan Washington D.C. area.