title: [Clinical implications of acoustic neuromas growth rate in volumetric study].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The pattern of neuroma growth is of great importance in choosing the appropriate management. This paper tests the clinical impact of tumor growth rate assessed by volumetry. There is a conviction that some slowly growing tumors could be observed for many years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Volume measurements were performed on T1- weighted MR images (spin echo sequences) after injection of gadolinium using a special dedicated software. The studied group included 17 patients in whom at least two MRI examinations were carried out and tumor growth was confirmed. The intervals between initial and the first follow-up examination were 14.2 months on the average. In 7 cases tumor evolution was observed in 2 periods (3 MRI studies) and in 4 cases in 3 periods (4 MRI studies).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The growth rate depended on tumors volume and clinical stage (P<0.01). Small tumors can be observed more safely than advanced tumors because their increase in mass is lower.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The observation with the tumoral volume measurements appears to be a useful and accurate tool to estimate the tumor growth rate. The growth rate is a major factor for choosing the appropriate management.
authors.affiliation: Service d'Otologie et d'Otoneurologie, Hôpital R. Salengro, CHRU 59037 Lille Cedex, France.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Niemczyk
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dubrulle
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Vaneecloo
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Lejeune
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lemaitre
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bruzgielewicz
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vincent
mesh_terms: D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009464:Neuroma, Acoustic / Q000473:pathology*