title: Age considerations in acoustic neuroma surgery: the horns of a dilemma.
abstract: Experience has shown that early removal of acoustic tumors results in less morbidity because the rate of surgical complications increases with tumor size. Nevertheless, acoustic tumors are benign and grow slowly--facts that support conservatism in elderly patients. We managed 21 patients with acoustic tumors over the age of 65. Eleven patients underwent immediate surgical excision. Ten patients were monitored clinically and with serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomographic (CT) scans. To date, two of these patients have required surgical excision because of continued tumor growth. Our experience managing these patients both surgically and with "watchful waiting" is the subject of this report.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Northwestern University, Il.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Wiet
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Monsell
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kazan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009464:Neuroma, Acoustic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011859:Radiography