Acoustic tumors

[Dawiegand at aol.com]

In response to a recent query about acoustic neuroma treatment posted by
Diane Bailey and forwarded by Jeffrey Sirianni to the 'Otology Online'
readership:

A 3 cm acoustic neuroma is best treated by microsurgical excision, which may
be done via a translabyrinthine (through the temporal bone) approach or via a
suboccipital approach- both of which have various modifications.  Risk of
transient or permanent facial weakness is significant with tumors of this
size, and a variety of reconstructive procedures are helpful if facial
weakness results after treatment.

A recent review of patients treated in the U.S. and recorded in the database
of the Acoustic Neuroma Association might be of some interest:

Wiegand,DA, Ojemann,RG,Fickel,V: Surgical treatment of acoustic neuroma
(vestibular schwannoma) in the United States: Report from the Acoustic
Neuroma Registry. Laryngoscope, 106:58-66, 1996

Additionally, contact with the Acoustic Neuroma Association may be helpful.
 I don't have the U.K. address, but the U.S. Association office in Atlanta
can be reached at 404-237-8023; the ANA website address is

http://neurosurgery.mgh.harvard.edu/ana/

I hope that this is helpful.

David Wiegand, M.D.
1857 Center Street
Camp Hill, PA  17011
U.S.A.
717-761-5556