• Timothy H Ung, Mizuho Inoue, Eric Marty, Ryan C Ward, Rafael Martinez-Perez, Katherine E Kunigelis, Gregory D Arnone, Stephen Cass, and A Samy Youssef.
• Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA; University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
• World Neurosurg. 2022 Apr 1; 160: e328-e334.

ObjectiveNervus intermedius (NI) dysfunction after the management of vestibular schwannoma (VS) is underreported and is experienced by patients undergoing stereotactic radiosurgery and surgical resection. The aim of this study was to present NI outcomes in a series of patients who underwent all treatment modalities for VS and to review the existing literature.MethodsWe performed a retrospective review of all patients with VS who were treated at our institution between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2018. Demographic data, tumor size, Koos grade, treatment modality, extent of resection, postoperative facial nerve function, and hearing function were collected. NI outcomes were determined from phone interview using a previously published functional questionnaire.ResultsOf 222 patients who were reviewed, 98 patients responded to the questionnaire. Patients were stratified into 3 groups: group 1, 54 patients who underwent radiation; group 2, 27 patients who underwent surgical treatment; group 3, 17 patients who underwent both radiation and surgery. Of patients, 28% presented with preoperative NI dysfunction, most commonly dry eye followed by taste dysfunction and lacrimation dysfunction. Following treatment, 79% of patients experienced NI dysfunction, most commonly dry eye. Statistical differences in dry eye and taste dysfunction were observed when comparing the treatment groups.ConclusionsNI dysfunction is common following treatment for VS and should be included in pretreatment counseling of patients, as it may impact treatment choice and quality of life. Additional studies are warranted to fully characterize NI dysfunction after treatment.Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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