Balance impairment after acoustic neuroma surgery.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of balance problems after acoustic neuroma surgery, evaluating whether disequilibrium is disabling.


METHODS
Retrospective observational study.


METHODS
Rehabilitation center.


METHODS
A group of 386 patients who underwent acoustic neuroma surgery.


METHODS
Patients were selected from a population of 459 subjects who had undergone surgery for acoustic neuroma.


METHODS
The Dizziness Handicap Inventory, The Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC), and a specific questionnaire on oscillopsia.


RESULTS
The specific questionnaire emphasized that 39 patients (10.10%) perceived disequilibrium as disabling, and the oscillopsia handicap score result was moderate in 73.32% of the sample, mild in 21.50%, and severe in 5.18% of patients. The Dizziness Handicap Inventory and ABC scales revealed the presence of handicap and disability due to disequilibrium and the influence of some variables such as sex and a higher oscillopsia handicap score. Dizziness Handicap Inventory and ABC scores were higher in symptomatic patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Disequilibrium influences handicap and disability after acoustic neuroma surgery. This symptom is also present after several years since surgery, and some patients perceived disequilibrium as disabling.
Tufarelli
Davide
D
ENT Rehabilitation Unit, San Raffaele Pisana Scientific Institute Tosinvest Sanita, Italy. davide.tufarelli@sanraffaele.it
Meli
Annalisa
A
Labini
Francesca Sylos
FS
Badaracco
Carlo
C
De Angelis
Ezio
E
Alesii
Annalisa
A
Falcioni
Maurizio
M
Sanna
Mario
M
D000328:Adult; D003390:Cranial Nerve Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004244:Dizziness / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009464:Neuroma, Acoustic / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014724:Vestibular Function Tests; D000160:Vestibulocochlear Nerve Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*