Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2026
A Unified Methodological Framework for Vestibular Schwannoma Research
Published on: June 20, 2017
A pilot with an intravestibular schwannoma: to fly or not to fly?
Frans Gordts1, Paul Van Der Veken, Vedat Topsakal
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, UZ Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Brussel. frans.gordts@uzbrussel.be
Objective:
To report on the professional repercussions of an intravestibular schwannoma in a commercial airline pilot.
Patients:
The case of a single patient with a unilateral intravestibular schwannoma.
Intervention:
Return to a flying status with specific restrictions and under tight conditions depending on the outcomes of a mandatory periodic watch-and-rescan policy.
Main Outcome Measures:
Consecutive magnetic resonance imaging results coupled to the clinical otovestibular status of the patient.
Results:
After 16 uneventful months of flying, the pilot was grounded after a first episode of vertigo.
Conclusion:
The combination of an intravestibular schwannoma-as one of the rarest intralabyrinthine schwannomas-and a pilot-for whom proper otovestibular functioning is of the uppermost importance-challenges the responsibilities of all involved. Depending on the clinical circumstances and under tight conditions with specific restrictions, a return to a flying status can very exceptionally be considered. An open discussion and the establishment of a relation of mutual trust are felt to be an absolute prerequisite.
