title: The impact of stereotactic radiosurgery in the management of neurofibromatosis type 2-related vestibular schwannomas.
abstract: Although there is an ongoing debate about the ideal management of vestibular schwannomas, radiosurgical treatment has become popular in the past decade with good to excellent results reported. Given the young age at presentation, the bilateral nature of vestibular schwanomas, the presence of other associated central nervous system tumors, patients with neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2) are very complex and present significant management challenges. Although results do not seem to be as good as for patients with sporadic unilateral tumors, stereotactic radiosurgery has proven a safe, attractive, and effective management modality for NF2 vestibular schwannomas. An overview of the impact stereotactic radiosurgery has had in the management of these tumors is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery Hospital Clinicas Caracas, Venezuela/Department of Radiation Oncology Hospital Clinicas Caracas, Venezuela/Gammaknife Unit, CDD Las Mercedes, Caracas, Venezuela.
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lustgarten
keywords: Hearing preservation; local tumor control; neurofibromatosis type 2; stereotactic radiosurgery gamma knife; vestibular schwanomas