Experience in the Surgery of Acoustic Neurinoma

Chung, Young Seob; Choi, Kil Soo

Abstract

The authors reviewed forty cases of acoustic neurinomas operated on from July 1974 to June 1984, analyzing our data obtained during 10 years in the following three periods: 1974 to 1978, 1978 to 1981, 1981 to 1984. A suboccipital approach was used for the removal of acoustic neurinomas in all cases. 1) A peak in the age distribution was seen at 40-50 years of age and no sexual difference was present. 2) The earliest symptoms were hearing loss(50%), headaches(25%), tinnitus(15%) in order of frequency. The time between onset of complaints and admission was mostly within 5 years(83%). 3) Most of the patients had large tumors(78%), greater than 3cm, of whom 4 patients were free of cerebellar and brain stem dysfunction. 4) Total removal was carried out in 27 out of 40 patients(67%) and particularly in 8 out of 14 patients(57%) with large tumors greater than 5cm. The total mortality was 7.5%. 5) In the last 3 years with the advance of microsurgical technique and CT scan, 25 patients were operated on only with a single death and total removal was carried out in 20 out of 25 patients. 6) In total removal, the total mortality was 7.4% and the mortality was 8% in patients with 3-5cm sized tumors and 13% in patients with tumors greater than 5cm, particularly 5% in the recent 3 years. 7) Preservation of the facial nerve following total removal was achieved in 59%. In the recent 3 years, the facial nerve was preserved in 65%. In the large tumors, 3-5cm sized and greater than 5cm, the rates of 75% and 37% were obtained.