Article
Tumor origin and hearing preservation in vestibular schwannoma surgery
Tumorursprung und Hörerhalt bei Vestibularisschwannomen
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Published: | May 30, 2008 |
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Objective: Preservation of cochlear nerve function in vestibular schwannoma removal is usually dependent on tumor size and preoperative hearing status. Tumor origin as an independent factor has not been systematically investigated.
Methods: A series of 44 patients with vestibular schwannomas, operated upon between 2002 and 2005 via the suboccipito-lateral route was evaluated with respect to cochlear nerve function, tumor size, radiological findings and intraoperative tumor origin. All patients were re-evaluated 12 months following surgery.
Results: Despite significantly larger tumor sizes and comparable preoperative cochlear nerve status, hearing preservation was achieved in 43% of patients with tumor origin from the superior vestibular nerve as compared to 11% of those with tumor origin from the inferior vestibular nerve.
Conclusions: Tumor origin is an independent prognostic factor for cochlear nerve preservation in vestibular schwannoma surgery. If diagnosed before surgery on 3D CISS MRI sequences, treatment management may be adopted accordingly.