[Acoustic neurinoma in a child].

A case is reported of acoustic neurinoma unrelated to Von Recklinghausens' disease in a child. A 14-year-old boy had suddenly become aware of impaired hearing associated with tinnitus, in August, 1988. He was admitted to our department in October, 1988. On admission, he had no neurological deficits except for right tinnitus. Acoustic tumor was found on air CT and MRI. Total removal of the tumor was achieved through a suboccipital craniotomy. The tumor had originated in the superior vestibular nerve. The size of the tumor was about 1 X 2 cm. The histological diagnosis was neurinoma. The facial and cochlear nerves were anatomically preserved. Twenty-two reported cases of acoustic neurinoma in children less than 15 years of age were reviewed. Based on these reports, it was concluded that acoustic neurinoma may grow rapidly in children, and they should be diagnosed and treated at an early stage.