MANAGEMENT OF VESTIBULAR SCHWANNOMAS: AGE MATTERS

Vestibular schwannoma (VS) or Acoustic neuroma is a benign extra axial brain tumor arising from the lower portion of vestibular nerve. VS usually sporadic, but it may have a genetic origin known as Neurifibromatosis type 2. VS grow slowly with an average annual growth rate of 1.5 mm. Although, the VS considered a benign tumor, its growth may cause a serious problem to surrounding tissues. The aim of our study was to reveal and describe the age-related issues in the management of VS. In the framework of this research, 107 case reports of patients with a mean age of 57,0 ±14,50 (R24-86) underwent thorough analysis. Patients with VS divided into 3 age groups: young adults 24-39, middle adults 47-59, and old adults 60 ≤. Results of the study showed that selecting the proper treatment option for VS always correlated with tumor size and age of the patients. Young adults tend to have relatively rapid growing VS, and on the contrary, in old adults, the VS grow slowly. Thus, selection of a conservative approach in old adults prevents patients from unfavorable complications of traditional neurosurgery, and vice versa, traditional neurosurgery or radiosurgery may avoid young adults from adverse effects of VS growth.