Otology & neurotology : official publication of the American Otological Society, American Neurotology Society [and] European Academy of Otology and Neurotology
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To examine the differences in quality of life for vestibular schwannoma patients undergoing conservative management, gamma knife, and surgery. ⋯ Although surgery groups' significantly larger tumors and worse hearing were apparent in specific PANQOL domains, all patients achieved a similar general level of quality of life.
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Previous studies have shown that vertigo is the most powerful negative predictor of quality of life in patients with vestibular schwannomas, but the variability in vertigo symptom severity is still poorly understood. We wanted to find out whether vertigo could be related to objective parameters such as tumor size, location, vestibular nerve function, hearing, and postural stability in patients with untreated vestibular schwannomas. ⋯ A minority of VS patients experience severe vestibular symptoms related to canal paresis and postural instability. A curvilinear relationship is hypothesized between tumor size and dizziness.
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Review Meta Analysis
Stereotactic radiosurgery for facial nerve schwannomas: meta-analysis and clinical review.
Although several small individual series on stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for facial nerve schwannomas (FNSs) have been published, we aim to systematically aggregate data from the literature as well as from our institution to better understand the safety and efficacy of SRS for FNS. ⋯ SRS seems to be effective at either stabilizing or shrinking FNS. However, significant morbidities of FN paralysis hearing loss do exist.
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To describe the clinical and radiographic characteristics in a series of patients with non-vestibular schwannoma cerebellopontine angle (CPA) and intracanalicular (IAC) masses, who underwent microsurgery for presumed vestibular schwannoma (VS). ⋯ A subgroup of patients with CPA and IAC masses who present with radiologic findings diagnostic of VS will have an alternative histopathologic diagnosis. Optimal radiologic imaging and experienced interpretation can improve diagnostic accuracy. The most common tumors that mimic VS despite ideal radiologic imaging are facial schwannomas, meningiomas, and hemangiomas.
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The Patient Concerns Inventory-Acoustic Neuroma (PCI-AN) was developed to explore specifically the concerns that patients would like to discuss during their clinic consultation. The PCI covers a range of issues including hearing, intimacy, fatigue, financial/benefits, relationships, regret, and support for family. It also lists multidisciplinary team (MDT) members that patients would like to see or be referred on to. ⋯ The PCI-AN has shed light on an interesting array of issues, which may be overlooked by clinicians in busy skull base clinic. The PCI-AN allows for patient-directed consultation and ultimately empowers them to be actively involved in the management of their health.