[Radiosurgery treatment of acoustic neuromas. Our experience].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the results and side effects obtained using radiosurgery to treat acoustic neuromas.


METHODS
Between 1999 and 2004 we treated 30 patients with unilateral acoustic neuromas with a mean age of 54 years old (31-76), a mean follow-up of 34 months (12-54), and tumour size between 4 and 38 millimetres (mean, 16.5). All of them were treated with radiosurgery (24 Gamma Knife and 6 LINAC) with doses of 1200-1300 cGy.


RESULTS
Tumour growth control rate (smaller or same size) was 93 % (28/30). In 11 patients there was a post-treatment hearing loss (36.6 %). Trigeminal (3/30) and facial (2/30) neuropathy was transient.


CONCLUSIONS
Although microsurgery is the treatment of choice for acoustic neuromas, we consider radiosurgical treatment a valid alternative for selected patients (the elderly, co-morbid conditions, small size, contralateral hearing loss...).
de Paula Vernetta
Carlos
C
Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valencia, España. carlospaula@telefonica.net
Orts Alborch
Miguel H
MH
García Callejo
Francisco Javier
FJ
Ramírez Sabio
Judith Begoña
JB
Morant Ventura
Antonio
A
Marco Algarra
Jaime
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009464:Neuroma, Acoustic / Q000601:surgery*; D016634:Radiosurgery / Q000295:instrumentation*