Radiation-Associated Vestibular Schwannomas: Case Series and Literature Review

Radiation treatment, particularly at a young age, creates theoretical risk for long-term adverse radiation effects, including the development of malignancy. The literature is sparse on radiation-induced vestibular schwannomas (VSs).

A retrospective review was performed for cases of suspected radiation-induced VS at 2 high-volume centers. Only cases where radiation included coverage of the posterior fossa were included with those diagnosed within 3 years of radiation treatment being excluded. Patient and tumor characteristics were collected. A systematic literature review was also performed for any previously published series on radiation-induced VS.

Eight cases of radiation-induced VS were identified with a median follow-up 125 months (range 7-131). The median age at incident radiation was 15 years (range 2-46). The median age at VS diagnosis was 57 years (range 26-83) with median interval from radiation to diagnosis of 51-years (range 15-66). The median tumor size was 6 mm (range 3-21). Two patients underwent surgical resection. Lesions were described as soft and highly vascular, with medium to high adherence to the facial nerve. Five articles with a total of 52 patients were identified, median age at VS diagnosis was 42-years (range 23-73) with a median interval from radiation to diagnosis of 19 years (range 15-23).

The development of VS following radiation exposure appears rare and our understanding of the condition remains incomplete. Further studies are required to determine the best management of these patients and determine whether there is a causative relationship between radiation exposure and the development of VS.