Evaluation of balance after surgery for cerebellopontine angle tumor

The origin of about 10% of tumors located in the intracranial region is the cerebellopontine angle. Therefore Cerebellopontine Angle (CPA) tumors affect patients' balance.

The aim of this study was to compare the balance in individuals who underwent surgery for CPA tumors with healthy individuals.

Thirty patients who were being followed-up by the Department of Neurosurgery and had been operated on CPA tumor and 31 healthy individuals were included in the study as group 1 and group 2, respectively. The participants were evaluated using Romberg Test, Sharpened Romberg Test, One-leg Stance (OLS), Tandem Walking, Walk Across, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) and Short Form 36 (SF-36).

In comparison of the groups, OLS tests (p< 0.001), BBS (p< 0.05) and DHI (p< 0.05) were significantly different in favor of healthy group. SF-36 results revealed a significant difference between the groups, except for Bodily Pain and Vitality (p< 0.05).

The results of this study demonstrated a decrease in balance parameters and quality of life in individuals who underwent CPA tumor surgery in comparison to healthy individuals. Evaluation of balance in the preoperative and postoperative period should not be ignored in these patients and they are suggested to start rehabilitation in the early postoperative period.