Early detection of small bilateral acoustic tumors

Bilateral acoustic tumors are one of the most difficult problems in acoustic tumor surgery. Total tumor removal with preservation of hearing has seldom been achieved in the past. Recently, hearing has been successfully preserved if the tumors are small when removed. We present the case of a child with a family history of von Recklinghausen's disease associated with bilateral acoustic tumors. A high index of suspicion of bilateral tumors and a thorough work-up resulted in the early diagnosis of small tumors. The tumors were removed with preservation of normal hearing.