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Published on: August 30, 2019
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Residual vestibular function after vestibular schwannoma surgery
R Černý1, Z Balatková2, S Hrubá2
1Department of Neurology, 2(nd) Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and Motol University Hospital, V Úvalu 84, Prague 150 06, Czech Republic.
Neuro-Chirurgie
|December 9, 2019
Summary
Vestibular schwannoma surgery often results in low vestibular function, but some patients retain moderate function, indicating partial nerve preservation. This finding may inform post-surgery rehabilitation strategies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Otolaryngology
- Vestibular System
Background:
- Vestibular schwannoma is a tumor affecting the vestibular nerve.
- Neurectomy is a surgical procedure to remove these tumors.
- Assessing residual vestibular function post-surgery is crucial for patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate vestibular function in patients after vestibular schwannoma neurectomy.
- To identify factors influencing vestibular function preservation.
Main Methods:
- Video head-impulse test (vHIT) was used to measure semicircular canal reactivity.
- Response gain was calculated by comparing eye and head velocity.
- Statistical analysis included t-tests and ANOVA.
Main Results:
- All patients exhibited low surgery-side gain on vHIT, with significant asymmetry.
- A subgroup (18%) showed moderate vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain.
- Caloric testing revealed absent reactions in all patients.
Conclusions:
- Partial conservation of vestibular nerve fibers may explain moderate VOR gain.
- Higher gain correlated with less extensive surgery and inferior vestibular nerve sparing.
- Understanding these results can guide post-operative vestibular rehabilitation.
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