title: Gait instability in patients with small acoustic neuroma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Small acoustic neuromas seldom result in typical vestibular symptoms, despite the tumor arising from the vestibular nerve. In this study, we have shown that abnormal gait in eleven patients with small acoustic neuroma could be detected in gait analysis by the use of tactile sensor. Patients displayed no oculomotor abnormality and had tumors less than 10 mm from the porus acoustics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Gait related parameters including the coefficients of variations (CV) of stance, swing, double support, area ratio of trajectories of center of force (TCOF), in addition to the foot pressure difference between both feet, were used for assessment of gait.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The CV of swing and the area ratio of TCOF were greater in patients than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The values of these two parameters became greater under an eyes closed condition compared to eyes open (P < 0.05) in the patient group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate that gait analysis may be helpful to assess vestibulospinal function of patients with small acoustic neuroma, the slight vestibular deficits of which can not be detected by visual observation.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, China.
authors: Yan
authors: Y
authors: Wang
authors: Hai-Yang
authors: HY
authors: Jiang
authors: Chao
authors: C
authors: Guan
authors: Xue-Jun
authors: XJ
authors: Jiang
authors: Ishikawa
authors: I
authors: Kazuo
authors: Hong-Wu
authors: HW
authors: Zhou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009464:Neuroma, Acoustic / Q000503:physiopathology*