Acoustic neuromas in children.

Although unilateral acoustic neuromas in children are rare, they do occur. There is no gender predilection and the clinical symptoms and signs are similar to those seen in adults. They tend to occur in the absence of neurofibromatosis and are usually benign. Our patient is the youngest yet reported with documented unilateral acoustic neuroma; moreover; she is the first child in whom this tumor has been proven to be malignant both by histopathology and subsequent clinical behavior.