title: Surgical approaches and complications in the removal of vestibular schwannomas.
abstract: Vestibular schwannomas are benign tumors that usually originate from the balance portion of cranial nerve VIII. The treatment options currently available for vestibular schwannomas include observation with serial imaging, stereotactic radiation, and microsurgical removal. Although the ultimate goal in treatment of vestibular schwannomas is preservation of life, the best option for each patient depends on symptoms, tumor size, tumor location, and the patient's general health and age. Surgical exposure of the cerebellopontine angle for removal of vestibular schwannomas can be performed safely via a translabyrinthine, retrosigmoid, and middle fossa approach. Each approach has its advantages and disadvantages. The goal of surgery is complete eradication of tumor with preservation of hearing and facial nerve function when possible.
authors.affiliation: The Otology Group of Vanderbilt, 300 20th Avenue North, Suite 502, Nashville, TN 37203, USA.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Haynes
mesh_terms: D002558:Cerebrospinal Fluid Otorrhea / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D004428:Ear Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D005155:Facial Nerve Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006261:Headache / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008581:Meningitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009464:Neuroma, Acoustic / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D013506:Otologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology