Surgical Management of Vestibular Schwannomas: The Retrosigmoid Approach

Abstract

This article is written to provide the reader with a comprehensive overview of the retrosigmoid approach to resection of a tumor at the cerebellopontine angle (CPA). Vestibular schwannoma is a benign tumor arising from either the superior or inferior vestibular nerves. These slow-growing tumors are initially clinically silent but eventually result in symptoms of hearing loss and imbalance, as they grow and compress surrounding cranial nerves and the brainstem. Observation, radiosurgery, and microsurgical resection are the 3 primary management strategies, and decision-making is highly nuanced and individualized to the patient.