TUMORS of the acoustic nerve.

Abstract

This study shows, in accordance with the important contributions of Henschen 1 and of Cushing, 2 that the acoustic tumors are composed histologically of a fibrillary tissue and of a reticular tissue, intermingled in varying proportions. The variation in structure has resulted in a corresponding variation in the terminology used to designate these tumors. At the suggestion of Dr. Cushing, an attempt was made to determine whether the topographic distribution of these types of tissue in an early tumor might throw light on their significance. Moreover, since the clinical examination had revealed the persistence of a certain degree of auditory acuity, it was interesting to determine exactly the course of the remaining nervous fibers. REPORT OF CASE The tumor which forms the basis of this study was found accidentally at the autopsy of a woman, aged 73, who died following an operation for cancer of the breast. The presence of