Vestibular Impairment in Patients with Vestibular Schwannoma: A Journey through the Pitfalls of Current Literature

Abstract

Vestibular Schwannoma is the most common tumour of Ponto Cerebellar Angle and is capable of strongly impacting the patient’s quality of life. In recent decades, the proposals for the management of the disease have multiplied, just as the diagnostic capacity has improved. While in the past, the primary objective was the preservation of the facial function, and subsequently also of the auditory function, the attention to the vestibular symptomatology, which appears to be one of the main indicators of deterioration of quality of life, is still unsatisfactory. Many authors have tried to provide guidance on the best possible management strategy, but a universally recognized guideline is still lacking. This article offers an overview of the disease and the proposals which have advanced in the last twenty years, evaluating their qualities and defects in a critical reading.

Identification of Follow-Up Markers for Rehabilitation Management in Patients with Vestibular Schwannoma

“…In line with the literature, the distribution of age and sex in our sample is representative of the population generally studied in this field [27][28][29]. The comorbidities reported are also similar to other studies [30], and they vary depending on the geographic area and ethnicity.…”

Vestibular Schwannoma and Tinnitus: A Systematic Review of Microsurgery Compared to Gamma Knife Radiosurgery

“…In 2020, VS had a prevalence between 3 and 5.2 per 100,000 person years which has increased over the past 20 years [ 2 , 3 ]. Despite being benign, these tumors may affect patients over time as they grow, by causing tinnitus, unilateral sensorineural hearing loss, vestibular symptoms, or cranial nerve deficits, such as CN VII (facial nerve) palsy [ 4 , 5 ]. Up to 95% of VSs are unilateral, sporadic, and occur in the fifth to seventh decades of life, although this may also be seen in those with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), where VSs often present bilaterally in these patients [ 6 , 7 ].…”