Best Doctors in India for Acoustic Neuroma Treatment

Profile Highlights:

  • Dr. Pranav Kumar is one of the best Neurosurgeons in India, having a good success record of over 27 years in performing deep-rooted tumors in the skull.
  • Since 1996, Dr. Kumar has been working as a senior consultant neurosurgeon at Apollo Hospital, New Delhi.
  • Dr. Pranav Kumar is skilled in surgeries for brain tumors deep-seated at the base of the skull and aneurysms affecting the cerebrovascular system.
  • Dr. Kumar specializes in performing the complex ‘Auditory Brainstem Implant,’ where a Bionic device is inserted in the brainstem to recover the hearing capacity in deaf patients who cannot be treated with a cochlear implant.
  • He completed microsurgery training at the National Neurosurgical Centre at Beaumont Hospital in Ireland.

Profile Highlights:

  • Dr. V K Jain is a leading neurosurgeon in India with refined medical surgical precision.
  • Dr. Jain has worked in a variety of significant positions in hospitals all across the world over the course of his career.
  • Dr.  Jain has also served as a visiting professor at a number of prestigious hospitals throughout the world.
  • He has also attended many conferences, workshops, and seminars and has also been invited as faculty to many conventions both in India and abroad.

Profile Highlights:

  • Dr. Ravi Bhatia is a veteran neurosurgeon and spine surgeon at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital New Delhi.
  • He has about six decades of experience in the management and surgeries of neurological disorders. Before retiring, Dr. Bhatia worked at another prestigious Indian hospital, AIIMS, New Delhi.
  • He is particularly interested in Neuro-Oncology, Brain and Spine Tumors, Cerebrovascular Surgery, and Craino vertebral abnormalities.
  • To date, Dr. Bhatia has treated neuro patients with a great success rate.
  • He authored chapters in many textbooks and has around 95 papers for medical journals to his credit.

Profile Highlights:

  • Dr. Abhaya Kumar is a leading name in the field of Neurosurgery who is an expert in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Brain surgery, and Stereotactic Radiosurgery and has performed more than 1400 spine surgeries and 1100 brain surgeries in KDAH alone.
  • Dr. Abhaya Kumar’s primary focus includes Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS) and has handled over 800 MISS cases till date in the hospital with 96% successful results.

Profile Highlights:

  • Dr. Ashok Hande is a renowned neurosurgeon in Mumbai who holds the credit for 300 AVMs, 1400 skull base tumor surgeries, 3600 surgeries for cranial and spinal trauma, 1200 lumbar prolapsed intervertebral disc surgeries, 800 cerebral aneurysms, and more than 100 microvascular decompressions.
  • He holds an experience encompassing 25+ years and holds the credit for pioneering neurosurgery in Mumbai by bringing in new and advanced neurosurgical procedures for brain and spine surgery.

Profile Highlights:

  • Dr. Deepu Banerji is a leading name in the field of Neurosurgery in India and possesses extensive skills in minimally invasive and micro neurosurgery.
  • He has been practicing neurosurgery for over 28 years and is counted among the best microscopic neurosurgeons in the country.
  • Apart from minimally invasive surgeries, his expertise lies in skull base surgery, brain tumors surgery, vascular surgery, and spine surgeries, and has handled numerous cases of brain and spine diseases and disorders.

Profile Highlights:

  • Dr. Madhusudan H V is an expert Neurosurgeon in South India with 22+ years of experience in neuro and spine surgery.
  • With a specialization in minimally invasive neurosurgeries, Dr. Madhusudan holds the credit for more than 7000 neurosurgeries. He also finds interest in endoscopic interventions and frameless navigations.

Profile Highlights:

  • Dr. Prahraj S S is a leading Neurosurgeon who specializes in all types of neurological surgeries and has performed over 6000 neurosurgeries till date along with complex cranial and spine surgeries.
  • He is one of the most renowned neurosurgeons in the country and has provided his services to some of the premier medical institutes in India such as NIMHANS where he performed a large number of spinal surgeries.

Best Hospitals in India for Acoustic Neuroma Treatment

Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Mumbai

Hospital Highlights:

  • Fortis Hiranandani hospital was established in 2007.
  • The hospital is an advanced tertiary care, multi-specialty hospital equipped with 149 beds.
  • The hospital is equipped with a super ICU to provide emergency medical care to critically ill patients.
  • The hospital is NABH accredited.
  • The critical care facility in the hospital is augmented with the state-of-the-art facilities that facilitate speedier diagnosis and efficient monitoring.
  • The hospital provides specialty medical services in cardiology, orthopedic science, pediatric science, neurology, diabetic care, urology, nephrology, ENT, obstetrics, gynecology, cosmetic surgery, bariatric surgery, neuro and spine care.

Fortis Hospital, Anandpur, Kolkata

Hospital Highlights:

  • Fortis Hospital, Anandapur, Kolkata is a world-class super-speciality equipped with the latest technologies in the medical world.
  • The hospital is NABH accredited.
  • This state-of-the-art facility specializes in cardiology and cardiac surgery, urology, nephrology, neurosciences, orthopaedics, digestive care, emergency care and critical care.
  • The hospital, governed by integrated Building Management System (IBMS), has a pneumatic chute system, for quick vertical and horizontal transportation between floors, facilitating speedy transfer of patient specimens, documents, reports, and medicines to the concerned departments.
  • The hospital also has a nephrology department with over 28 advanced dialysis units.

Fortis Hospital Banerghatta, Bengaluru

Hospital Highlights:

  • Fortis Hospital Bannerghatta, Bengaluru was established in 2006.
  • The hospital is a 276 bedded multi-specialty tertiary care facility.
  • The hospital specializes in cutting-edge medical technology and dedicated patient care services.
  • The hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies like trans-radial angioplasty, trans-abdominal cardiac surgery, and computerized TKR navigation surgery.
  • The hospital provides specialty medical services in cardiology, cardiac surgery, orthopedics, neurology, neuro-surgery, GI, and Minimal Access Surgery (MAS).

Fortis Hospital, Malar, Chennai

Hospital Highlights:

  • Fortis Malar was established in 1992 and was formerly known as Malar Hospital.
  • The hospital specializes in cutting-edge medical technology and dedicated patient care services.
  • The hospital is multi-specialty, tertiary care facility with 180 beds.
  • The hospital offers comprehensive medical care in specialties such as cardiology, cardio-thoracic surgery, neurology, neurosurgery, orthopedics, nephrology, gynecology, gastroenterology, urology, pediatrics, and diabetes.

Gleneagles Global Hospital, Parel, Mumbai

Hospital Highlights:

  • Gleneagles Global Hospital The 450-bed facility comprises of 17-stories, housing state-of-the-art infrastructure, and advanced medical care facilities.
  • The hospital offers end-to-end clinical, surgical, and diagnostic services. It is equipped with a team of eminent medical professionals aided by qualified nurses and medical staff
  • The Hospital offers advanced Endoscopic procedures, Hepatobiliary and Liver Surgeries, Surgical and Medical Gastroenterology, Bariatric Surgery, and Robotic surgery.
  • The hospital is a center of excellence for Orthopedics, Joint Replacement, Knee Replacement, and Hip Replacement surgery.

Manipal Hospital, Dwarka, Delhi

Hospital Highlights:

  • Manipal Hospitals, Dwarka, is a super-specialty hospital in Dwarka, New Delhi, which is a part of Manipal Hospitals Group.
  • The hospital aims to provide the best treatment on par with international standards at a fraction of the cost.
  • Equipped with 380 beds, the hospital is also one of the new age hospitals which are equipped fully with state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge technology as well as the latest and advanced clinical practices. The hospital also has 13 modular Operation theatres with 118 beds which are solely meant for critical care.
  • The hospital comprises internationally acclaimed doctors and highly professional and experienced hospital and medical staff who are able to provide preventive, therapeutic, and diagnostic services all under one roof.

Paras Hospital, Gurugram

Hospital Highlights:

  • Paras hospital was established in 2006 and is the 250 bedded flagship hospital of Paras Healthcare.
  • The is supported by a team of doctors of international and national repute.
  • The hospital is NABH accredited and also the first hospital in the region to have a NABL accredited laboratory.
  • The hospital provides specialty medical services in around 55 departments including Neurosciences, Joint Replacement, Mother & Child Care, Minimal Invasive Surgery, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology, Cosmetic and Plastic surgery.
  • The hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies.

S L Raheja Hospital, Mahim, Mumbai

Hospital Highlights:

  • SL Raheja hospital is a 140-bed multi-specialty tertiary care hospital that is being managed by Fortis Healthcare Ltd.
  • The hospital is a benchmark in healthcare and medical facilities in the neighborhood of Mahim & the western suburbs.
  • L.Raheja Hospital, Mahim has one of the most effective ICU and Casualty care services.
  • The hospital provides specialty medical services in Cardiology, Oncology, Neurology, Orthopedics, Mother & Child Care, and in Diabetes.

Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai

Hospital Highlights:

  • Wockhardt Hospitals were established in the year 1973, originally called First Hospitals and Heart Institute.
  • Wockhardt Hospitals are super specialty health care networks in India, nurtured by Wockhardt Ltd, India’s 5th largest Pharmaceutical and Healthcare company.
  • Wockhardt Hospitals is associated with Partners Harvard Medical International, an international arm of Harvard Medical School, USA.
  • Wockhardt Heart Hospital performed India’s first endoscopic heart surgery.
  • The hospital has a state-of-the-art infrastructure equipped with the latest technologies and modern equipment.
  • It has special Centers of Excellence dedicated to the major specialties to provide hassle-free and high-quality clinical care.

Pushpawati Singhania Hospital & Research Institute, New Delhi

Hospital Highlights:

  • Established in 1996, Pushpawati Singhania Research Institute is one of the top hospitals in the NCR region, as well as one of the top facilities in India for gastroenterology. The hospital is one of South Asia’s first institutes in medical and surgical treatment for diseases related to digestion.
  • The hospital is equipped with state-of-the art facilities coupled with the latest equipment as well as renowned consultants from various parts of India as well as other parts of the world.

ACOUSTIC NEUROMA

Acoustic neuroma is a noncancerous growth which can develop on the eighth cranial nerve. Also termed as the vestibulocochlear nerve, it is known to connect the inner ear with the brain, and it consists of two different parts. While one part is responsible for the transmission of sound, the other part helps to send balance information from the inner ear to the brain.

Acoustic neuromas, which may also be termed vestibular schwannomas, or neurilemmomas, generally grow slowly over a period of years. They may not actually invade the brain, but they can push on it as they continue to grow. Larger tumors can press on the nearby cranial nerves that control the muscle of facial expression as well as sensation. If the tumors get large enough to press on the brain stem or the cerebellum, then they can be quite deadly.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of acoustic neuroma are mostly subtle, and it can take several years to fully develop. They generally arise from the tumor’s effects on the hearing and balance nerves. Pressure caused by the tumor on the adjacent nerves that control the facial muscles and sensation, brain structures, or nearby blood structures can also cause problems.

As the tumor continues to grow, it might be more likely to cause more noticeable or severe signs and symptoms. Some of the common signs and symptoms of an acoustic neuroma can include the following:

  • Hearing loss, which is usually gradual. However, in some cases, it may be sudden. It might also occur on only one side or more pronounced on one side.
  • Ringing in the affected ear which is also termed as tinnitus
  • Facial numbness and very rarely, weakness or loss of muscle movement
  • Unsteadiness, or loss of balance
  • Dizziness, which can also be termed as vertigo

 

In some rare cases, an acoustic neuroma can even grow large enough and compress the brainstem, which may become life-threatening.

If you notice significant hearing loss in one ear, ringing in your ear, or trouble with your balance, then you should consider seeing your doctor soon.

Early diagnosis of an acoustic neuroma might help in keeping the tumor from growing large enough to cause any serious consequences, such as total hearing loss or a life-threatening buildup of fluid within the skull.

Causes

Two types of acoustic neuroma exist: a sporadic form and a form associated with a syndrome which is known as neurofibromatosis type II (NF2). NF2 is an inherited disorder that is characterized by the growth of noncancerous tumors in one’s nervous system. Acoustic neuromas are also known to be the most common of these tumors and they generally occur in both ears by the age of 30.

NF2 is a rare disorder, and it accounts for only around 5 percent of acoustic neuromas. This means the vast majority of the cases are the sporadic form. Doctors are however uncertain what exactly leads to this sporadic form. One of the known risk factors for this condition is exposure to high doses of radiation, especially to one’s head or neck.

Diagnosis

In the early stages, it is generally difficult to diagnose acoustic neuroma, since signs and symptoms might be subtle and can develop over time gradually. Some of the common symptoms include hearing loss, which is associated with several middle and inner ear problems.

After you ask questions about your symptoms, your doctor will be conducting an ear exam. Your doctor might order the following tests.

Hearing test (audiometry)

This test is conducted by a hearing specialist or an audiologist, and you hear sounds that are directed to one ear at a time. The audiologist will be presenting a range of sounds of various tones and is going to ask you to indicate each time you hear the sound. Each tone is going to be repeated at faint levels to find out when you can barely hear. The audiologist might also present several words that will determine your ability to hear.

Imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging or MRI is the preferred imaging test which can confirm the presence of acoustic neuroma and can also detect any tumors which are as small as 1 to 2 millimeters in diameter. If MRI is not available or you are unable to tolerate an MRI scan, a computerized tomography scan (CT scan) may be used. However, this tests might miss tumors that are tiny.
Both of these tests are done on an outpatient basis, which means they won’t require you to stay at a hospital overnight.

Treatment

There are three main courses of treatment which are used for acoustic neuroma:

  • Observation
  • Surgery
  • Radiation therapy

Observation

Observation is also termed as called watchful waiting. Since acoustic neuromas are not cancerous and grow slowly, immediate treatment may not be required always. Often doctors will monitor the tumor with periodic MRI scans and will suggest other treatments if the tumor grows a lot or causes any serious symptoms.

Surgery

Surgery for acoustic neuromas involves removing the entire or part of the tumor.

Three main surgical approaches exist, for the removal of an acoustic neuroma:

Translabyrinthine

Translabyrinthine involves making an incision behind the ear and then removing the bone behind the ear along with some of the middle ear. This procedure is generally used for tumors which are larger than 3 centimeters. The upside of this approach is that it can allow the surgeon to see an important cranial nerve or the facial nerve quite clearly before he/she removes the tumor. The downside to this technique is that it causes permanent hearing loss.

Retrosigmoid/sub-occipital

Retrosigmoid/sub-occipital method involves exposing the back of the tumor by opening the skull near the back of one’s head. This approach can be used in order to remove tumors of any size and it also offers the possibility of preserving one’s hearing ability.

Middle fossa

This technique involves removing a small piece of bone above the ear canal in order to access and remove small tumors which are confined to the internal auditory canal, which is the narrow passageway from the brain to the middle and inner ear. This approach may enable surgeons to preserve the hearing of a patient.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy might be recommended in certain cases for acoustic neuromas. Due to state-of-the-art delivery techniques, it is possible to send high doses of radiation to the tumor while at the same time, limiting exposure and damage to any surrounding tissue.

The tumor’s growth might slow or stop or it might even shrink, however, the radiation doesn’t remove the tumor completely.

Complications

An acoustic neuroma can lead to a variety of permanent complications, which can include the following:

  • Hearing loss
  • Ringing in the ear
  • Facial numbness and/.or weakness
  • Difficulties with balance

 

Large tumors may press on your brainstem, which can prevent the normal flow of fluid between the brain and the spinal cord. In this case, fluid may build up in your head, which can increase the pressure inside the skull.

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