Characteristics of Vertigo Manifestations and Vestibular Function Tests in Patients with Acoustic Neuroma according to the Tumor Size / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Acoustic neuromas (ANs) usually manifest ipsilateral peripheral vestibulopathies with various degrees of compensation in vestibular function tests (VFTs). As the tumor grows, the cerebellum and brain stem are compressed and various central signs may develop. However, the clinical usefulness of VFTs in ANs, especially in the early diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation, is not yet fully studied. The objective of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of clinical manifestations and VFTs according to the tumor size in ANs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 33 patients who were pathologically diagnosed as ANs. We divided the patients into 5 groups according to the tumor size (Tos, 1992) and analyzed the relationship between the tumor size and the characteristics of clinical manifestations and VFTs. RESULTS: 70% of patients had experienced dizziness. True vertigo was more common in patients with smaller tumors; in contrast, unsteadiness or dysequilibrium was manifested more frequently in larger tumors. Most patients (94%) showed peripheral vestibulopathies and among them, 42% of patients were compensated functionally and physiologically. CONCLUSION: Clinical manifestations regarding dizziness and the results of VFTs, especially the degree of compensations, might be helpful in diagnosing early ANs. Further investigations will be needed to confirm these assumptions.