Surgery versus Radiosurgery for Facial Nerve Schwannoma: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Facial Nerve Function

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana Rotter ◽  
Victor M. Lu ◽  
Avital Perry ◽  
Christopher S. Graffeo ◽  
Matthew L. Carlson ◽  
...  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Juliana Rotter ◽  
Victor M. Lu ◽  
Christopher S. Graffeo ◽  
Avital Perry ◽  
Colin L. W. Driscoll ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVEIntracranial facial nerve schwannomas (FNS) requiring treatment are frequently recommended for surgery or stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). The objective of this study was to compare facial nerve function outcomes between these two interventions for FNS via a systematic review and meta-analysis.METHODSA search of the Ovid EMBASE, PubMed, SCOPUS, and Cochrane databases from inception to July 2019 was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Articles were screened against prespecified criteria. Facial nerve outcomes were classified as improved, stabilized, or worsened by last follow-up. Incidence was pooled by random-effects meta-analysis of proportions.RESULTSThirty-three articles with a pooled cohort of 519 patients with FNS satisfied all criteria. Twenty-five articles described operative outcomes in 407 (78%) patients; 10 articles reported SRS outcomes in 112 (22%). In the surgical cohort, facial nerve function improved in 23% (95% CI 15%–32%), stabilized in 41% (95% CI 32%–50%), and worsened in 30% (95% CI 21%–40%). In the SRS cohort, facial nerve function was improved in 20% (95% CI 9%–34%), stable in 66% (95% CI 54%–78%), and worsened in 9% (95% CI 3%–16%). Compared with SRS, microsurgery was associated with a significantly lower incidence of stable facial nerve function (p < 0.01) and a significantly higher incidence of worsened facial nerve function (p < 0.01). Tumor progression and complication rates were comparable. Outcome certainty assessments were very low to moderate for all parameters.CONCLUSIONSUnfavorable facial nerve function outcomes are associated with surgical treatment of intracranial FNS, whereas stable facial nerve function outcomes are associated with SRS. Therefore, SRS should be recommended to patients with FNS who require treatment, and surgery should be reserved for patients with another indication, such as decompression of the brainstem. Further study is required to definitively optimize and validate management strategies for these rare skull base tumors.


2020 ◽  
pp. 014556132096258
Author(s):  
Wei Gao ◽  
Dingjing Zi ◽  
Lianjun Lu

Facial nerve meningioma is exceedingly rare and tends to affect the geniculate ganglion. We present a case of facial nerve meningioma located in the internal auditory canal with a “labyrinthine tail,” mimicking facial nerve schwannoma. The clinical and radiological features, growth patterns, and surgical management were reviewed. Progressive facial paralysis was the main syndrome, similar to other facial nerve tumors. When facial nerve function is worse than House-Brackmann grade III, surgical resection should be performed with facial nerve reconstruction.


2007 ◽  
Vol 116 (7) ◽  
pp. 542-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sertac Yetiser ◽  
Ugur Karapinar

Objectives: A meta-analysis was conducted on the outcome of facial nerve function after hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis in humans. The roles of the timing of and the underlying cause for surgery, the type of the repair, and previous facial nerve function in the final result were analyzed. Methods: Articles were identified by means of a PubMed search using the key words “facial-hypoglossal anastomosis,” which yielded 109 articles. The data were pooled from existing literature written in English or French. Twenty-three articles were included in the study after we excluded those that were technical reports, those describing anastomosis to cranial nerves other than the hypoglossal, and those that were experimental animal studies. Articles that reported facial nerve function after surgery and timing of repair were included. Facial nerve function had to be reported according to the House-Brackmann scale. If there was more than 1 article by the same author(s), only the most recent article and those that did not overlap and that matched the above criteria were accepted. The main parameter of interest was the rate of functional recovery of the facial nerve after anastomosis. This parameter was compared among all groups with Pearson's X2 test in the SPSS program for Windows. Statistical significance was set at a p level of less than .05. Results: Analysis of the reports indicates that early repair, before 12 months, provides a better outcome. The severity of facial nerve paralysis does not have a negative effect on prognosis. Gunshot wounds and facial neuroma are the worst conditions for favorable facial nerve recovery after anastomosis. Transection of the hypoglossal nerve inevitably results in ipsilateral tongue paralysis and atrophy. Modification of the anastomosis technique seems to resolve this problem. Nevertheless, the effect of modified techniques on facial reanimation is still unclear, because the facial nerve function results were lacking in these reports. Conclusions: Hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis is an effective and reliable technique that gives consistent and satisfying results.


2008 ◽  
Vol 87 (10) ◽  
pp. 574-577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd A. Hillman ◽  
Douglas A. Chen ◽  
Russell Fuhrer

A review of medical records of patients undergoing radiotherapy for facial nerve tumors was undertaken to determine subsequent facial nerve results, hearing results, and tumor control. Two patients with facial nerve tumors received this treatment. Facial nerve function remains excellent in one patient and significantly improved in the other. Neither tumor demonstrated growth. Current philosophies of facial nerve schwannoma management attempt to balance tumor control with facial nerve function. Radiotherapy for these tumors appears to preserve short-term facial function and may be a viable alternative to surgical management.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Wei-Hua Wang ◽  
Ruo-Wen Jiang ◽  
Na-Chuan Liu

Objective. To explore the status of electroacupuncture (EA) among other treatments for peripheral facial paralysis (PFP). Methods. Randomized controlled trials comparing EA with other treatments that met the eligibility criteria published in databases were included. The differences were observed and quantified through the risk ratio (RR) for dichotomous outcomes and the standardized mean difference (SMD) for continuous outcomes. Then, their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were recorded. Results. Twenty-three studies involving 1985 participants were included. META-analysis results showed that EA was better than manual acupuncture for PFP (RR: 1.16, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.22, for responding rate; SMD: 2.26, 95% CI 0.15 to 4.37, for facial nerve function) and current promoted recovery (RR: 1.21, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.27, for responding rate; SMD: 2.87, 95% CI 1.16 to 4.58, for facial nerve function). When combined with other treatments, EA improved their effectiveness (RR: 1.19, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.28, responding rate; SMD: 1.85, 95% CI 0.67 to 3.03, facial nerve function). Conclusion. Patients with PFP received EA (used separately or combined with other treatments) resulting in a better prognosis. However, the quality of evidence was very low-to-moderate. Considering the poor quality of evidence, we are not very confident in the results. We look forward to more research and update results in the future and improve the evidence quality.


2014 ◽  
Vol 121 (Suppl_2) ◽  
pp. 116-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ju Hyung Moon ◽  
Won Seok Chang ◽  
Hyun Ho Jung ◽  
Kyu Sung Lee ◽  
Yong Gou Park ◽  
...  

ObjectThe aim of this study was to evaluate the tumor control rate and functional outcomes after Gamma Knife surgery (GKS) among patients with a facial nerve schwannoma.MethodsThe authors reviewed the radiological data and clinical records for 14 patients who had consecutively undergone GKS for a facial nerve schwannoma. Before GKS, 12 patients had facial palsy, 7 patients had hearing disturbance, and 5 patients had undergone partial or subtotal tumor resection. The mean and median tumor volumes were 3707 mm3 and 3000 mm3, respectively (range 117–10,100 mm3). The mean tumor margin dose was 13.2 Gy (range 12–15 Gy), and the mean maximum tumor dose was 26.4 Gy (range 24–30 Gy). The mean follow-up period was 80.7 months (range 2–170 months).ResultsControl of tumor growth was achieved in all 12 (100%) patients who were followed up for longer than 2 years. After GKS, facial nerve function improved in 2 patients, remained unchanged in 9 patients, and worsened in 3 patients. All patients who had had serviceable hearing at the preliminary examination maintained their hearing at a useful level after GKS. Other than mild tinnitus reported by 3 patients, no other major complications developed.ConclusionsGKS for facial nerve schwannomas resulted in excellent tumor control rates and functional outcomes. GKS might be a good primary treatment option for patients with a small- to medium-sized facial nerve schwannoma when facial nerve function and hearing are relatively preserved.


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