Impact of Treatment on Vestibular Schwannoma-Associated Symptoms: A Prospective Study Comparing Treatment Modalities
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Updated: Nov 20, 2025
A Unified Methodological Framework for Vestibular Schwannoma Research
Published on: June 20, 2017
Jason H Barnes1, Neil S Patel2, Christine M Lohse3
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
Objective:
The degree to which various treatment modalities modify vestibular schwannoma (VS)-associated symptoms has received limited attention. The purpose of this study was to determine how different treatment modalities affect subjective symptoms in those presenting with VS.
Study Design:
Prospective survey.
Setting:
Tertiary neurotology referral center.
Methods:
Patients with sporadic VS who received treatment at our institution were prospectively surveyed with a VS symptom questionnaire. Those who completed a baseline survey prior to treatment and at least 1 posttreatment survey were included. The prospective survey evaluated the severity of self-reported symptoms (Likert scale, 1-10), including tinnitus, dizziness or imbalance, headaches, and hearing loss.
Results:
A total of 244 patients were included (mean age, 57 years). The mean duration of follow-up was 2.1 years, and the median number of surveys completed was 2 (interquartile range, 1-3). Seventy-eight (32%) cases were managed with observation, 118 (48%) with microsurgery, and 48 (20%) with radiosurgery. Multivariable analyses revealed no statistically significant difference in the change in tinnitus (P = .15), dizziness or imbalance (P = 0.66), or headaches (P = .24) among treatment groups. Evaluation of clinically important differences demonstrated that microsurgery leads to significant bidirectional changes in headaches.
Conclusions:
Limited prospective data exist regarding the progression or resolution of subjective symptoms in those presenting with VS. This study suggests that tinnitus, dizziness or imbalance, and headaches are unlikely to be significantly modified by treatment modality and generally should not be used to direct treatment choice.
