Patient perception of comorbid conditions after acoustic neuroma management: survey results from the acoustic neuroma association.
OBJECTIVE
Based on survey results of the Acoustic Neuroma Association, the patient ratings of the most difficult aspects of acoustic neuroma management were reported and a review of the literature was made regarding comorbid conditions associated with acoustic neuroma treatment and their impact on patient quality of life.


METHODS
Cohort study of 1940 patients who were members of the Acoustic Neuroma Association.


METHODS
A detailed questionnaire was mailed to 2372 members of the Acoustic Neuroma Association to identify preoperative and postoperative symptoms, complications, and long-term effects on physical and psychosocial function. For 1940 respondents (81.8%) who reported the "most difficult aspect of the AN [acoustic neuroma] experience," the responses were analyzed by tumor size, surgical approach, and patient age and sex. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software.


RESULTS
Respondents reported that the most difficult aspect of the acoustic neuroma experience was hearing loss (25.8%), followed by facial weakness (17.9%), eye problems (10.8%), and headache (10.5%). In order of frequency, men reported hearing loss, balance problems, perioperative surgical experience, and eye and facial weakness, and women reported hearing loss, facial weakness, eye problems, and headache. Facial weakness was a morbidity more often reported for men and women who had large tumors, who were young, or who had undergone the retrosigmoid approach. Balance dysfunction was significant in patients older than 75 years of age. In patients with small tumors, headaches and balance problems were frequently reported.


CONCLUSIONS
In the large cohort study of patients with acoustic neuroma, perceptions regarding the impact of treatment illustrated why it is incumbent on physicians to understand the sentiments of patients with acoustic neuroma when counseling them and recommending optimal management strategies.
Ryzenman
John M
JM
Neuroscience Insitute, Dpartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Ohio 45267, USA.
Pensak
Myles L
ML
Tew
John M
JM
D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009464:Neuroma, Acoustic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires