Radiosurgery treatment of acoustic neuromas. Our experience

• Published in: Acta otorrinolaringológica española Vol. 58; no. 3; p. 75
• Main Authors: de Paula Vernetta, Carlos, Orts Alborch, Miguel H, García Callejo, Francisco Javier, Ramírez Sabio, Judith Begoña, Morant Ventura, Antonio, Marco Algarra, Jaime
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Spanish
• Published: Spain 01-03-2007
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neuroma, Acoustic - surgery; Radiosurgery - instrumentation
• ISSN: 0001-6519
• DOI: 10.1016/S0001-6519(07)74885-9

To evaluate the results and side effects obtained using radiosurgery to treat acoustic neuromas.
Between 1999 and 2004 we treated 30 patients with unilateral acoustic neuromas with a mean age of 54 years old (31-76), a mean follow-up of 34 months (12-54), and tumour size between 4 and 38 millimetres (mean, 16.5). All of them were treated with radiosurgery (24 Gamma Knife and 6 LINAC) with doses of 1200-1300 cGy.
Tumour growth control rate (smaller or same size) was 93 % (28/30). In 11 patients there was a post-treatment hearing loss (36.6 %). Trigeminal (3/30) and facial (2/30) neuropathy was transient.
Although microsurgery is the treatment of choice for acoustic neuromas, we consider radiosurgical treatment a valid alternative for selected patients (the elderly, co-morbid conditions, small size, contralateral hearing loss...).