Epidemiological and Evolutionary study of Vestibular Schwannoma after different types of treatment

Abstract

Over the last couple of decades, the increased availability of magnetic resonance imaging dramatically influenced to the therapeutic approach of vestibular schwannomas (VSs). However, there are few reports about the course of VS patients following conservative management (CM) compared with gamma knife radiosurgery (GKR). In the current study, we present data of 106 unilateral and one bilateral (due to NF2) VS patient controlled CM (67), GKRS (27) and conventional neurosurgery (13). Objectives The main aim of our study was to compare CM and/or the natural course of VS growth with the effects following GKR along with additional treatment and symptom development during the follow-up. We also aimed to evaluate the utility of diagnostic tests and efficiency of CM in case of small VSs.