Hydrocephalus in patients with vestibular schwannoma

Hydrocephalus (HC) is common in patients with vestibular schwannoma (VS). This can be managed with a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion procedure prior to VS resection or with VS resection, keeping CSF diversion in reserve unless required postoperatively. No clear consensus exists as to which approach is superior. This study identifies factors predictive of the development of HC, and analyses outcomes for those managed with primary CSF resection versus tumour resection.

Single-centre retrospective cohort study of 204 consecutive adult patients with a unilateral VS from May 2009 to June 2021. Data was collected on patient and tumour demographics, management, and outcome.

204 patients, with a mean age at presentation of 59.5 (21-83), with 50% female, and a mean follow-up of 7.5 years (1.8-13.9) were included. 119 were managed conservatively, 36 with stereotactic radiosurgery only, and 49 with surgery. 30 (15%) patients had radiological HC, of which 23 (77%) were obstructive, and 7 (23%) were communicating. Maximum intracranial tumour diameter and Koos grade were higher in patients with HC. Of the patients with HC the majority (20, 67%) were managed initially with CSF diversion, with 12 patients undergoing subsequent tumour resection, and three patients avoiding primary resection. Nine (30%) were managed with primary surgical resection, of whom three required subsequent CSF diversion. Complication rates and Modified Rankin Scale (MRS) were comparable or lower in the CSF diversion group (8%, MRS ≤2 = 83%), versus the primary resection group (67%, MRS ≤2 = 67%), and the primary surgical resection without HC group (25%, MRS ≤2 = 86%).

CSF diversion prior to tumour resection is a safe and acceptable strategy compared to primary VS resection, with improved outcomes and reduced surgical complications. Randomized studies and national databases are needed to determine the long-term outcomes of patients treated with CSF diversion versus primary resection.