Multicystic vestibular schwannomas with fluid-fluid levels: A report of three cases

Abstract

Abstract. The present study reported three rare cases of multicystic vestibular schwannoma with fluid-fluid levels. These three tumors exhibited apparent fluid-fluid levels that demonstrated a radiological appearance of two fluid levels in the cystic area. Two cases had an acute history, whereas one case presented with a chronic progression. A suboccipital retrosigmoid approach was used for access to the tumors and gross total resection was achieved in all the cases. During the surgical procedures, unclotted blood was observed, and the tumors were adhered to the facial nerve, other cranial nerves or the brain stem. In each case, the facial nerve function of the patients was impaired following surgery. The present study discussed the possible mechanism of the formation of the fluid-fluid levels, the effect of the fluid-fluid levels and the therapeutic strategy employed.

Natural History of Cystic Vestibular Schwannomas

“…A handful of reports have similarly described intra-cystic hemorrhage leading to rapid expansion. 15 -18 Nonetheless, even amongst tumors without intra-tumoral hemorrhage (the majority of cases), the cystic component explained the majority of growth within the tumor, as seen in Figure 2. Similarly, amongst shrinking tumors, resorption of the cystic component explained the majority of decrease in tumor size.…”