Impact of Balance Training and Co-ordination Exercises in Post-Operative Left Cerebellopontine Angle Tumor: A Case Report

Introduction: Acoustic neuromas are most common tumors of CP angle, accounting more than 90% of all such tumors. Meningioma, primary cholesteratoma and facial nerve schwanoma are the different type of tumors. Acoustic neuroma is a benign tumor situates in CP angle which has a fibrous growth and originates from the division of vestibulochochlear nerve. Aim: Impact of Balance Training and Co-ordination Exercises in Post-Operative Left Cerebellopontine Angle Tumor Case Presentation: A 40 year old male with right hand dominance was referred to physiotherapy department. On examination he presented mild impairment in balance and co-ordination, assisted walking. Discussion: This case report is an important to the published literature on rehabilitation of a patient witha CPA tumor, as it presents the sequential management in the patients post CPA tumor. Conclusion: Acoustic neuroma is most common CPA tumor. Management of CPA tumor is important to improve quality of life. As per the reference articles and the exercises planned can progressively improve balance and co-ordination of patients.

Resection of small acoustic neuroma using the transcanal transvestibular endoscopic approach

We evaluated the outcomes of resection of small acoustic neuromas using the transcanal transvestibular endoscopic approach. Two patients with a small acoustic neuroma were treated using this approach. The sizes of the tumors were 11 × 6 mm and 12 × 10 mm. Both tumors were removed completely without residual tumor tissue, and damage to the facial nerve and cochlear nerve was avoided. No patients developed postoperative vertigo, aggravation of postoperative facial paralysis, severe pain, or permanent postoperative complications. The patients were followed up for 6 months, and none developed recurrence. Resection of small acoustic neuromas by the transcanal transvestibular endoscopic approach is a simple and safe technique that achieves excellent functional results.

Middle cranial fossa approach for acoustic neuroma

The middle fossa approach for the resection of small acoustic neuromas is a viable, but underutilized treatment modality with the goal of hearing preservation. The authors aim to demonstrate this approach and its nuances through this video presentation. A 38-year-old man presented with an incidentally discovered small, intracanalicular acoustic neuroma that was initially observed, but growth was noted. The patient had good hearing, and therefore a hearing preservation approach was offered. A gross-total resection was achieved, and the patient maintained good hearing postoperatively. This video demonstrates relevant anatomy, surgical indications, technical aspects of resection, including reconstruction, and postoperative outcomes. The video can be found here: https://stream.cadmore.media/r10.3171/2021.7.FOCVID21124

Potential Molecular Biomarkers of Vestibular Schwannoma Growth: Progress and Prospects

Vestibular schwannomas (VSs, also known as acoustic neuromas) are relatively rare benign brain tumors stem from the Schwann cells of the eighth cranial nerve. Tumor growth is the paramount factor for neurosurgeons to decide whether to choose aggressive treatment approach or careful follow-up with regular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as surgery and radiation can introduce significant trauma and affect neurological function, while tumor enlargement during long-term follow-up will compress the adjacent nerves and tissues, causing progressive hearing loss, tinnitus and vertigo. Recently, with the deepening research of VS biology, some proteins that regulate merlin conformation changes, inflammatory cytokines, miRNAs, tissue proteins and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) components have been proposed to be closely related to tumor volume increase. In this review, we discuss advances in the study of biomarkers that associated with VS growth, providing a reference for exploring the growth course of VS and determining the optimal treatment strategy for each patient.

3D Real IR MR Findings in Acoustic Neuromas: Altered Perilymph Metabolism

Objectives This study aimed to investigate the perilymph metabolism by analyzing the 3D real IR MR findings in acoustic neuroma (AN) after intravenous administration of gadolinium (Gd). Methods Eleven patients (6 men and 5 women) diagnosed with AN were included, and 3D real IR MRI was performed 4 hours after intravenous Gd injection. The signal intensity and details of inner ear, tumor, and internal auditory canal (IAC) by MRI were analyzed. Results Four patients had tumors confined to the IAC, and 5 had tumors that extended to the cerebellopontine angle cistern. The signal intensity of the cochlea, vestibule, and IAC fundus was conspicuously enhanced in 3D real IR images than the control side. One patient had a tumor in the cochlea, in which the signal intensity of the semicircular canal and vestibule was increased. One patient had an intravestibular tumor in which the signal intensity of the semicircular canal was increased and the cochlea had endolymphatic hydrops in the affected ear. Conclusions The synchronously increased signal intensity in the inner ear and IAC may indicate that IAC may serve as a channel for removal of the perilymph in the inner ear; the blockage by the tumor may have changed the hydrodynamics of the perilymph to cause a longer retention of Gd in the inner ear.

RADT-19. EFFECTS OF RADIATION DOSE-RATE AND TUMOR CHARACTERISTICS ON LOCAL CONTROL AND TOXICITY AFTER RADIOSURGERY FOR ACOUSTIC NEUROMAS

INTRODUCTION The effect of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) dose-rate on tumor control for acoustic neuroma (AN, or vestibular schwannoma) is unclear. METHODS This was a retrospective study of all patients treated for AN with frame-based cobalt-60 SRS at the Toronto Western Hospital between 2005-2019. Dose rates on the day of SRS were calculated from the calibration dose-rate while accounting for the cobalt-60 half-life of 5.2713 years. Local failure was defined as continued tumor growth >36 months post-SRS, tumor resection for LF, or use of any repeat SRS for LF. Cumulative incidence of LF was reported after accounting for competing risks of death, on a per-lesion basis. Comparisons of actuarial LF were made using Gray’s test. Multivariable analysis of LF was performed using a proportional hazards model. RESULTS A total of 607 patients were treated for 617 acoustic neuromas. Median follow-up was 5.0 years. 158 tumors (26%) were cystic. 71 tumors (12%) had previous resection. Nine patients received 10-11 Gy due to large tumor size; all remaining patients received 12 Gy to approximately the 50% isodose line. Median dose rate was 2.4 Gy/min (range, 1.3-3.7). There was no association between dose rate and LF (≥ 2.4 Gy/min vs. < 2.4 Gy/min, 6.07% vs. 6.12% at 5-year follow-up, p = 0.75). The adjusted local failure-specific hazard ratio (HR) for dose rate (per Gy/min) was 1.2 (95% CI 0.69-2.1, p = 0.52). Patients with previous surgery had higher LF, with a HR of 3.6 (95% CI 1.7-7.8, p = 0.0012), after adjusting for presence of cysts (HR 0.27, p = 0.034) and maximum tumor diameter (HR 1.055 per cm, p = 0.071). CONCLUSIONS In a large cohort of patients with acoustic neuromas, radiosurgery dose-rate was not associated with tumor control. Previous resection was a strong risk factor for local failure after SRS.

Sigmoid Sinus Patency following Vestibular Schwannoma Resection via Retrosigmoid versus Translabyrinthine Approach

Introduction The treatment options for acoustic neuromas are observation with serial imaging, stereotactic radiation, or surgical resection. The most common surgical approaches are the translabyrinthine (TL), the retrosigmoid (RS), and the middle cranial fossa. During the TL approach the sigmoid sinus is decompressed with bipolar cautery to allow greater medial exposure. It is unknown if this causes any long-term narrowing or thrombus of the sigmoid sinus. Methods We performed a retrospective review of patients who underwent acoustic neuroma resection to determine if patients undergoing a TL approach for acoustic neuroma resection develop radiographic evidence of sigmoid sinus stenosis or thrombosis compared with patients undergoing a RS approach. Results A total of 128 patients were included in this study, 56 patients underwent a TL approach and 72 patients underwent a RS approach. We compared the preoperative and postoperative diameter of the ipsilateral and contralateral sigmoid sinus at proximal, midpoint, and distal locations on magnetic resonance imaging examinations. There was no significant difference between the preoperative and postoperative diameter of the ipsilateral or contralateral sigmoid sinus based on surgical approach. Conclusion Decompression of the sigmoid sinus during the TL approach does not have a significant postoperative effect on the dural venous sinus patency.