🦓 Zebra of the Month: Acoustic Neuroma

What is it, what to do to about it, and more! [Osmosis from Elsevier]( [Year of the Zebra Banner](         Zebra of the Month: Acoustic Neuroma [Year of the Zebra Thumbnail]( Your brain can be compared to a city’s central hub, with nerves acting as highways, carrying information like sound and balance signals from your ears to your brain. If a slow-growing roadblock started on one of these highways, it might not be noticeable at first: a bit of traffic, some minor delays. Yet, over time, the roadblock will be enough to interfere with the transfer of information, even blocking it completely, stopping the flow of information. That is practically what happens in this month’s Zebra, the acoustic neuroma. An [acoustic neuroma]( is a rare, benign (non-cancerous) tumor that develops on the eighth cranial nerve. This nerve goes from the inner ear to the brain and is responsible for hearing and balance. Signs and symptoms result from the tumor pressing on the nerve, affecting its function. Symptoms typically begin as hearing loss on one side only. Then it can progress to ringing in the ears, dizziness, and/or imbalance. If left unaddressed, the tumor can grow enough to involve other cranial nerves and cause additional symptoms such as facial weakness, facial numbness, and/or swallowing difficulties. The [acoustic neuroma]( affects women more often than men, usually between the ages of 30 and 60. The incidence is about 1 in 100,000 in the general population. To learn more about the diagnosis and treatment of the acoustic neuroma, watch the dedicated Osmosis video on [YouTube]( and [Osmosis.org](   Meet Shanna Adamic [[ratio]  ]( Shanna Adamic is the Senior Operations Manager at the First Hand Foundation, the nonprofit arm of Cerner Corporation. This video chronicles her personal journey from being symptomatic, to diagnosis and treatment of an acoustic neuroma that was pressing on her brain stem, threatening her life. She tells a story of resilience, hope, and tireless optimism. Watch her turn her story into actionable impact to improve the lives of others.   Organization Taking Strides The [Acoustic Neuroma Association]( was founded in 1981 by Virginia Fickel Ehr in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. After her own experience with acoustic neuroma surgery, Ehr realized how difficult it was for patients to find easily understandable medical information and emotional support. Motivated by this gap, she worked with her physician to contact other patients and founded the Acoustic Neuroma Association to provide crucial resources, education, and a sense of community for those affected by acoustic neuromas. The organization has grown rapidly and today serves over 3,000 members, including patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals across the world in several meaningful ways. Firstly, the Association offers a variety of educational resources. They have newsletters that provide updates on research, patient stories, and new treatments. They host free, expert-led webinars on topics like treatment advancements, post-surgical care, and coping strategies. They distribute free patient kits to newly diagnosed individuals. These kits contain vital information to help patients navigate their diagnosis and treatment Moreover, the Acoustic Neuroma Association also has a big focus on community engagement. For instance, they have online forums for vibrant online discussion with thousands of active members, where people can ask questions, share their stories, and find answers in a supportive environment. Finally, the organization has research partnerships with medical institutions and professionals to promote research that improves treatment outcomes and quality of life for patients. They have also started a research grant program to bring direct support to relevant original research. To find out more about the Acoustic Neuroma Association and how you can help, please visit [their website](. [Mo Announcement Zebra](   Stripes from the past [Thumbnail]( Every rare disease we discuss remains relevant and noteworthy, regardless of how much time has passed. In this section, we choose to revisit a disease from past newsletters. [Neuroblastoma]( is the most common type of childhood cancer that occurs outside the cranial area. It is usually diagnosed before the age of five years with an incidence of about 10 per million children. Symptoms of neuroblastoma include fever, weight loss, sweating, fatigue, and additional symptoms that can be caused by tumor location and size. To learn more about the types and mechanisms of Neuroblastoma, watch the dedicated Osmosis video on [YouTube]( and [Osmosis.org](   Elsevier Health's Year of the Zebra Today’s newsletter highlights one of 7,000+ known rare diseases affecting over 400 million people globally. With [The Year of the Zebra]( initiative, our goal is to accelerate the diagnostic process to improve patient outcomes and help achieve a more equitable healthcare system for all patients while supporting those that care for them. The arduous journey of people with Zebras deserves to be highlighted, along with the organizations that support them. Everyone has a part to play in the fight against rare diseases!   Sponsor the Year of the Zebra Learn how you can contribute to the rare disease community by visiting [The Year of the Zebra]( [Get Involved](   [Elsevier Health Logo]( Elsevier Health applies innovation, facilitates insights, and helps drive more informed decision-making for students, clinicians, leaders, educators and policymakers, across healthcare systems globally. We support health providers by supplying accessible, trusted evidence-based information to take on the infodemic; preparing more future health professionals; improving patient outcomes; delivering truly inclusive healthcare; and supporting personalized and localized care experiences. Together, we aim to empower healthcare professionals to provide optimal care that improves outcomes for all patients.   [Osmosis Logo]( [Osmosis.org]( from Elsevier is the leading video education platform for clinicians and caregivers [around the world]( with more than 3.5 million registered learners and over a quarter of a billion views. In addition, [Osmosis.org]( from Elsevier hosts the most popular health education channel on [YouTube]( (3 million subscribers) and disseminates content via Wikipedia, Instagram, Medscape, Merck Manuals, and through over 200 partnerships with medical, nursing, and other health professional programs as well as digital health, life science, medical device, governmental, and non-profit organizations.       [YouTube ]( [Facebook]( [Twitter ]( [Nursing]( [linkedin]( Copyright © 2023 Osmosis, All rights reserved. Elsevier Inc., 1600 J.F.K. Blvd., Suite 1600, Philadelphia, PA 19103 This email was sent to {EMAIL}. [Email Preferences]( | [Privacy Policy](.