[Acoustic neurinoma of the elderly]

Over the last six years, 19 neurinomas, including 11 measuring between 3 and 4 centimetres, have been operated on in patients aged over 70. One 85-year old male patient died. With one exception, all the cases presented disorders of balance and/or vertigo, which were cured or improved by surgery. The authors discuss the operatory indication, stressing the possibility of monitoring the increase of the neurinomas through magnetic resonance imaging, the possibilities of preserving the facial nerve, and the value in all cases of using the translabyrinthine approach.