title: Preoperative identification of patients at risk of developing persistent dysequilibrium after acoustic neuroma removal.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to identify preoperative signs or symptoms that correlate with poor postoperative vestibular compensation after acoustic neuroma removal.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study design was a retrospective chart review.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted at a tertiary care center.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 210 patients who had acoustic neuromas removed via the retrosigmoid approach from January 1, 1990, to July 1, 1995, participated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Persistent dysequilibrium for > 3 months after surgery was measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Age (p = 0.002), gender (p = 0.007), presence of preoperative dysequilibrium (p = 0.005), duration of preoperative dysequilibrium > 3.5 months (p = 0.003), and central findings on electronystagmography ( p < 0.001) were related to poor outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The authors found 31% of patients to have dysequilibrium lasting > 3 months after surgical removal of an acoustic neuroma. Age > 55.5 years, female gender, constant preoperative dysequilibrium present for > 3.5 months, and central findings on electronystagmography were associated with a worse outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Driscoll
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Lynn
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Harner
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Beatty
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Atkinson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003390:Cranial Nerve Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009464:Neuroma, Acoustic / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013997:Time Factors; D014717:Vertigo / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*