Summary
Introduction: Acoustic nerve tumors have been recognized as a clinico-pathologic entity for at
least 200 years, and they represent 90% of cerebellopontine angle diseases. Histologically,
the tumors are derived from Schwann cells of the myelin sheath, with smaller tumors
consisting of elongated palisade cells, while in large tumors, cystic degeneration
can be found in the central areas, possibly due to deficient vascularization. We retrospectively
reviewed 825 cases of vestibular schwannomas, reported between January 1984 and August
2006, in which the patients underwent surgery to remove the tumor.
Objective: To evaluate signs, symptoms, aspects of clinical diagnosis, including the results
of audiological and imaging studies, and surgical techniques and complications.
Methods: A retrospective chart review. The medical records of all patients undergoing surgical
treatment for schwannoma during the period indicated were reviewed.
Results and Conclusion: Hearing loss was the first symptom reported in almost all cases, and tumor size was
not proportional to the impairment of the auditory threshold. The surgical techniques
allowed safe preservation of facial function. In particular, the retrolabyrinthine
route proved useful in small tumors, with 50% preservation of hearing.
Keywords
neuroma - acoustic - vestibulocochlear nerve diseases - cranial nerve neoplasms
