title: Conservative management of vestibular schwannoma--a prospective cohort study: treatment, symptoms, and quality of life.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  One hundred ninety-three patients with sporadic unilateral vestibular schwannoma given conservative management were enrolled in a prospective study.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of conservative management and to determine the effect of an initial conservative management on the quality of life (QOL) and severity of audio vestibular symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging scans, clinical examination, and QOL assessment by 2 validated questionnaires, the Short Form-36 (SF-36) and Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI). Using regression analysis of clustered data, we analyzed possible associations between tumor growth and symptoms and tested whether our earlier finding that vertigo is associated with reduced QOL could be verified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median follow-up time was 43 months (range, 9-115 months; SD, 21.48 months). Results are based on 703 clinical controls and 642 (SF-36) and 638 (GBI) questionnaires. Seven patients were lost to follow-up. Approximately 40% of patients were in need of treatment during follow-up. We found a statistically significant association between tinnitus and vertigo and tumor growth. Vertigo was found to significantly reduce QOL. There was a significant drop in the Social Function subscales of both SF-36 and GBI, possibly attributable to progressive hearing loss. Otherwise, there was no overall trend toward any change in QOL during the observation period. In addition, QOL seemed to be little affected by treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was a small but statistically significant improvement in vestibular complaints and no change in the occurrence of tinnitus. Except for hearing loss caused by surgery, treatment did not affect symptoms or QOL significantly. Growth was associated with the occurrence of tinnitus and balance problems.
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. cana@helse-bergen.no
authors: Cathrine Nansdal
authors: CN
authors: Breivik
authors: Jobin K
authors: JK
authors: Varughese
authors: Tore
authors: T
authors: Wentzel-Larsen
authors: Flemming
authors: F
authors: Vassbotn
authors: Morten
authors: M
authors: Lund-Johansen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009464:Neuroma, Acoustic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014717:Vertigo / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents