Specialty Focused Recordings: Neuro-Oncology-Management Of Vestibular Schwannomas

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Allie Schauber’s session reviewed vestibular schwannomas (acoustic neuromas), rare, benign, slow-growing tumors that may remain dormant or grow unpredictably. Symptoms include hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, imbalance, and, in larger tumors, facial weakness or numbness. Evaluation includes neurologic and hearing assessments, audiograms, and MRI; previous imaging can help establish how long a tumor has been present. Bilateral tumors or other findings may warrant evaluation for neurofibromatosis type 2.<br /><br />Management is individualized and may involve observation with serial MRI and audiograms, focused radiation, or surgery. Surgical approaches differ in hearing preservation and facial-nerve risk, so close coordination among neurosurgery, ENT, and radiation oncology is important. Postoperative care may include nausea control, early mobility, vestibular rehabilitation, and monitoring for complications such as CSF leak. Longer-term options for persistent deficits include facial nerve rehabilitation or reanimation and hearing implants. The speaker emphasized thorough preoperative education, patient support, and long-term follow-up.

Keywords

vestibular schwannoma

acoustic neuroma

hearing loss

MRI evaluation

radiation therapy

facial nerve rehabilitation