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Incidental discovery of acoustic neuromas
S H Selesnick1, M Deora, M B Drotman
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Weill College of Medicine, Cornell University, New York, USA.
Abstract:
Our objective is to report 4 cases of incidentally discovered acoustic neuromas (ANs) and to determine the incidence of asymptomatic ANs. A prospective study of 161 consecutive patients undergoing gadolinium-enhanced MRI (Gd-MRI) at a tertiary-care university-affiliated medical center was carried out from September 1994 to April 1995. The Gd-MRI scans were performed for tentative diagnoses other than AN or sensorineural hearing loss. In 161 consecutive patients examined, no ANs were found incidentally on Gd-MRI scans. Previous studies have suggested that the incidence of occult ANs is as high as 1%. On the basis of our results, we suggest that the actual incidence may be lower. However, our study is limited by its small size and the low incidence of ANs in the general population. Also reported are the clinical and MRI characteristics of 4 patients with incidentally diagnosed ANs.
Insights
This study found no incidental acoustic neuromas (ANs) in 161 patients, suggesting the incidence of asymptomatic ANs may be lower than previously thought. Four cases with incidental ANs were also detailed.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Acoustic neuromas (ANs) are tumors that can be discovered incidentally during medical imaging.
- Previous research suggested a significant incidence of asymptomatic ANs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of asymptomatic acoustic neuromas (ANs).
- To report clinical and MRI characteristics of incidentally diagnosed ANs.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 161 consecutive patients undergoing gadolinium-enhanced MRI (Gd-MRI).
- MRI scans were performed for diagnoses other than AN or sensorineural hearing loss.
Main Results:
- No incidental acoustic neuromas (ANs) were detected in the 161 patients examined.
- The study suggests the actual incidence of asymptomatic ANs may be lower than previously reported.
Conclusions:
- The incidence of incidentally discovered acoustic neuromas (ANs) may be lower than previously estimated.
- Further research with larger sample sizes is needed due to study limitations.