Retrosigmoid approach for small and medium-sized acoustic neuromas.
OBJECTIVE
Clinical study of the keyhole acoustic neuroma retrosigmoid approach for facial nerve and hearing preservation.


METHODS
This was a prospective case review from October 1993 to December 1998 in a referral hospital care unit.


METHODS
A total of 119 consecutive patients with a tumor size of <25 mm in the cerebellopontine angle corrected by a retrosigmoid approach were included in the study.


METHODS
Standard audiometric and imaging assessments, complete tumor removal by using endoscopy-assisted control, and nerve monitoring.


METHODS
House-Brackmann facial nerve grade and hearing level by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery classification.


RESULTS
Grades I and II facial nerve function was obtained in 96% of cases, measurable hearing was preserved in 49% of cases, and 30% of cases achieved serviceable hearing.


CONCLUSIONS
The retrosigmoid approach is a safe and reliable approach in random patients with small and medium-sized acoustic neuromas.
Magnan
Jacques
J
ORL Unit, Hopital Nord, Marseille cedex, France.
Barbieri
Marco
M
Mora
Renato
R
Murphy
Sreerama
S
Meller
Renaud
R
Bruzzo
Michel
M
Chays
André
A
D001309:Auditory Threshold / Q000502:physiology; D002528:Cerebellar Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002530:Cerebellopontine Angle / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003056:Cochlear Nerve / Q000502:physiology; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000502:physiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006309:Hearing / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009464:Neuroma, Acoustic / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013506:Otologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index