A Systematic Review of Interventions for Balance Dysfunction in Patients With Vestibular Schwannoma

Dizziness is a major contributing factor to poor quality of life for patients with vestibular schwannoma (acoustic neuroma). We wished to review the literature on interventions for balance dysfunction in these patients.

A systematic literature review was performed identifying studies that measured balance function before and after treatment for vestibular schwannoma. Data sources include Medline (1950-present), EMBASE (1974-present), Cochrane Library (issue 3, 2008), NHS Centre of reviews and dissemination, Clinical Evidence, Cochrane central register of controlled trial, and CINAHL.

A minimum follow-up of 6 months was required, to estimate long-term balance function. Eight articles were identified, including five studies with surgical intervention, two studies with stereotactic radiotherapy, and one comparing the two. Study design was generally poor with a high risk of bias. These studies all utilized the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) as a measure of pre- and postintervention balance function.

Results showed that overall DHI scores are not statistically affected by intervention irrespective of modality (surgery or stereotactic radiotherapy). Patients selected with severe dizziness, who undergo surgery, improved postoperatively. No other studies for severe dizziness were noted for comparison.

Age, sex, and tumor size have no statistically significant effect on DHI outcomes, and no evidence to suggest which treatment modality has better dizziness related outcomes.No specific treatment modality was superior in terms of long-term balance function. Patients with severe dizziness may benefit from surgery, although no comparator studies were identified.