Incidence and management of acoustic neuromas in South Africa.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the extent to which the various treatment modalities are used in the management of acoustic neuromas treated in South Africa and to estimate the incidence of acoustic neuromas in South Africa.


METHODS
A telephonic survey was conducted of all otorhinolaryngologists, neurosurgeons, and radiotherapy centers in South Africa to determine whether they had treated any patients with acoustic neuromas during the calendar year 2000.


RESULTS
One hundred and fifteen patients with acoustic neuromas were treated in South Africa during the calendar year 2000, and 8 patients were referred to other countries for treatment. This resulted in an incidence of approximately 0.3 per 100,000 population per year. There was a marked difference in the incidence between the various racial groups: the incidence was at least 1.76 per 100,000 population per year among whites and at least 0.01 per 100,000 population per year among blacks. Of the 115 patients, 78 (68%) were treated surgically and 24 (21%) by stereotactic radiotherapy. Fourteen (12%) patients had newly diagnosed acoustic neuromas that were managed conservatively in the year concerned. The surgical approach used was middle fossa in 8 (7%) patients, retrosigmoid in 61 (53%) patients, and translabyrinthine in 9 (8%) patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of acoustic neuromas in South Africa were treated surgically, mainly by a retrosigmoid approach. The incidence of acoustic neuromas in South Africa was approximately 0.3 per 100000 population per year. There were significant racial differences in the incidence.
Seedat
R Y
RY
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
Claassen
A J
AJ
Mol
D A
DA
D044383:Black People; D003399:Craniotomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009464:Neuroma, Acoustic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000601:surgery*; D016634:Radiosurgery / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People