Clinical correlates of neoplastic involvement of the eight cranial nerve in man.

This study of 25 cases of benign neoplastic involvement of the eighth nerve in man suggests: (1) Eighth nerve auditory dysfunction and minimal structural change in the internal auditory canal are the earliest reliable signs leading to tumor detection. (2) "Early" detection does not mean "small" tumor. (3) Schwannomas tend to grow more slowly in the elderly patient. (4) Compression and displacement of viable axons may be the primary pathophysiology of dysfunction.