Postoperative imaging and follow-up of vestibular schwannomas.
OBJECTIVE
No standards exist regarding patient follow-up after complete vestibular schwannoma resection. We surveyed neurotologists and neurosurgeons to determine practice patterns.


METHODS
A nonrandomized sample of American Neurotology Society and North American Skull Base Society members was surveyed. Questions concerned years in practice, experience with vestibular schwannoma surgery, and postoperative follow-up algorithms given the scenario of complete gross tumor removal. Data were collected, tallied, and statistically analyzed.


METHODS
Academic and private practice neurotologists and neurosurgeons.


METHODS
Nonrandom sample of American Neurotology Society and North American Skull Base Society members.


METHODS
Number of postoperative magnetic resonance imaging scans, timing of magnetic resonance imaging scans, timing of final magnetic resonance imaging scan, timing of final visit, and variability between specialties.


RESULTS
Four hundred ninety-eight surveys were sent and 135 were returned (27.1%). The average number of postoperative magnetic resonance imaging scans was 3.6 for neurotologists (range, 1-11) and 5.6 for neurosurgeons (range, 1-13). This was statistically significant (p >0.001). There was no correlation between number of magnetic resonance imaging scans and either years in practice or tumor experience. Average length of follow-up varied greatly (1 year to lifetime) but was most commonly 5 years. Eight percent of neurotologists varied their postoperative routine on the basis of surgical approach, whereas none of the neurosurgeons did.


CONCLUSIONS
There remains no standard postoperative imaging algorithm for patients after complete vestibular schwannoma resection.
Lee
Wha-Joon
WJ
Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, USA.
Isaacson
Jon E
JE
D000465:Algorithms; D003625:Data Collection; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009462:Neurology; D009464:Neuroma, Acoustic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D009493:Neurosurgery; D010036:Otolaryngology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013038:Specialization; D014725:Vestibular Nerve / Q000473:pathology