Vestibular schwannoma (VS) is a Schwann cell-derived tumour arising from the vestibulocochlear nerve. Although benign, it represents a threat to intracranial structures due to mass effect and carries a small risk of malignant transformation. VS therefore represents an important healthcare burden. We review the literature regarding pathogenesis, risk factors, and diagnosis of VS. The current and future potential management strategies are also discussed. A narrative review of all relevant papers known to the authors was conducted. The majority of VS remain clinically stable and do not require interventional procedures. Nevertheless, various surgical techniques exist for removing VS, the most common of which are translabyrinthine and retrosigmoid approaches. Due to surgical risks such as hearing loss, facial nerve dysfunction, post-operative headache, and cerebrospinal fluid leakage, a "watch and rescan" approach is adopted for most patients. Radiotherapy is a useful alternative and has been shown to have a similar response for growth restriction. Due to the heterogeneous nature of VS, there is a lack of consensus regarding management of tumours that are too large for conservative management but too small to indicate surgery. Emerging biologic therapies, such as Bevacizumab, Everolimus, and Lapatinib, as well as antiinflammatories like aspirin are promising potential treatments; however, long-term evidence of their efficacy is required. The knowledge base regarding VS continues to improve. With increased understanding of the pathogenesis of these tumors, we believe future work should focus on pharmacologic intervention. Biologic therapies aimed toward improved patient outcomes are particularly promising.

AimTo evaluate whether intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) use in children with suspected Kawasaki disease (KD) was given according to local trust and the newly revised American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines.MethodsIn our tertiary hospital, any child with suspected KD given IVIG, over the past 3 years, was identified. Their electronic notes were then reviewed.ResultsTen patients were identified. Nine patients had a fever lasting 5 days or more. Four patients had either 5/5 or 4/5 of the diagnostic criteria for KD and were diagnosed with complete KD. The remaining six patients were suspected to have incomplete KD. 7/10 patients received IVIG within 10 days of onset of illness. Patients suspected to have incomplete KD experienced a mean delay in administration of IVIG of 5.3 days compared with those with complete KD. In four patients, an alternative diagnosis was established. Three patients had coronary artery abnormalities on first echocardiogram. From these patients, only one had a follow-up echocardiogram recorded in their notes. No patient had more than one follow-up echocardiogram (at both 2 and 6 weeks).ConclusionIdentifying patients with incomplete KD is more difficult than identifying those with complete KD and any delay in giving IVIG could be due to this reason. This audit suggests that increasing awareness of incomplete KD and a clear guideline will aid prompter diagnosis and administration of IVIG. This audit also suggests that all patients with KD should receive more than one follow-up echocardiogram.