Journal
OTOLOGY & NEUROTOLOGY
Volume 31, Issue 2, Pages 271-275Publisher
LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS
DOI: 10.1097/MAO.0b013e3181c34bda
Keywords
AAO classification; Acoustic neuroma; Conservative management; Pure-tone hearing; mWRS classification; Speech discrimination; Word Recognition Scoring classification
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the long-term hearing during wait and scan management of vestibular schwannomas. Subjects: During a 33-year period, from 1976 to 2008, 1,144 patients with vestibular schwannoma were allocated to observation by the wait and scan policy, with annual magnetic resonance imaging and audiologic examination. Two complete pure-tone and speech discrimination audiograms were available for 932 patients. In 900 patients (97%), the wait and scan period was at least 1 year. In 377 patients (40%), the observation time was at least 5 years, and in 102 patients (11%), at least 10 years. Results: At diagnosis, 491 patients (53%) presented with good hearing, that is, speech discrimination better than 70%. After a mean of 4.7 years of observation, 59% of these patients spontaneously preserved good hearing. Of patients with 100% speech discrimination at diagnosis, 69% maintained good hearing after more than 10 years of observation. Of patients with only a small discrimination loss at diagnosis, 38% maintained good hearing. Conclusion: Most vestibular schwannoma patients with 100% speech discrimination at diagnosis maintain good hearing even after many years of observation.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available