New symptom in early diagnosis of bilateral acoustic neuroma

: Eleven patients were admitted to the hospital with the diagnosis of unilateral tumor of the vestibulocochlear nerve at the stage of clinical manifestations or at a well advanced stage. Their otoneurological examinations revealed a microtumor at the side opposite to the major tumor node. Of great diagnostic importance were vestibulometric data which showed lack of vestibular excitation on both sides: in some cases it was not recorded during caloric tests while in other cases it was not recorded during caloric or rotation tests. In view of the lack of the vestibular response on the "healthy" side, it was supposed that there was a microtumor there. In all cases this diagnosis was confirmed either by computer tomography or by CT and surgery. This symptom can be very helpful for an early detection of a microtumor or the vestibulocochlear nerve on the side opposite to the major tumor node. It is emphasized that special attention should be given to arm displacement, during caloric tests.