Schwannomas

Abstract

Sporadic vestibular schwannoma (VS) is the commonest tumour of the cerebellopontine angle and comprise 6–8% of all intracranial tumours. The incidence varies between 12 and 20 cases per million inhabitants and years in different reports; a large minority of these tumours grow during follow-up. Treatment options include wait and scan, microsurgery, radiosurgery, and radiotherapy. Micro- and radiosurgery are well validated to offer long-term tumour control, but patients may suffer from hearing deficit and facial nerve paresis. Unexpectedly, long-term life quality is more affected by vertigo and headaches. Other cranial nerve schwannomas cause symptoms depending on the affected nerves and respond to the same therapies when treatment is indicated.