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. 2019 Sep 7;162(1):43–54. doi: 10.1007/s00701-019-04055-4

Table 2.

Differences in clinical and operative parameters according to the outcome of facial nerve function after vestibular schwannoma surgery

Good outcome
(HB 1–2)
n = 59 (67%)
Moderate outcome
(HB 3–4)
n = 14 (16%)
Poor outcome
(HB 5–6)
n = 15 (17%)
Difference between groups
Age (mean ± SD) 51 ± 13 years 55 ± 16 years 55 ± 15 years
Gender (male/female) 20/39 7/7 6/9
Size1 p < 0.05
  Intrameatal 2 (4.1%) 1 (7.1%) 1 (7.7%)
  Small 6 (12.2%) 1 (7.1%)
  Medium 31 (63.3%) 4 (28.6%) 5 (38.5%)
  Large 10 (20.4%) 8 (57.1%) 7 (53.8%)

Largest diameter2

(mean ± SD, range)

24 ± 12 mm

0–53 mm

33 ± 10 mm

0–51 mm

32 ± 15 mm

0–50 mm

p < 0.05

Volume2

(mean ± SD, range)

9000 ± 11,000 mm3

26–49,000 mm3

16,000 ± 11,000 mm3

3200–34,000 mm3

17,000 ± 21,000 mm3

2700–47,000 mm3

p < 0.05

Koos grade

(mean ± SD, range)

3.4 ± 0.9

1–4

3.6 ± 0.6

2–4

3.8 ± 0.4

3–4

Clinical presentation
  Hydrocephalus 7 (11.9%) 4 (28.6%) 5 (33.3%)
  Headache 9 (15.3%) 4 (28.6%) 5 (33.3%)
  Vertigo 35 (59.3%) 6 (42.9%) 6 (40.0%)
  Imbalance/ataxia 12 (20.3%) 5 (35.7%) 9 (60.0%) p < 0.01
  Hearing 51 (86.4%) 11 (78.6%) 14 (93.3%)
  Tinnitus 19 (32.2%) 3 (21.4%) 6 (40.0%)
  Facial 1 (1.7%) 2 (14.3%) 3 (20.0%) p < 0.05
  Trigeminal 15 (25.4%) 3 (21.4%) 2 (13.3%)
  Brainstem/cerebellar 5 (8.5%) 1 (7.1%) 5 (33.3%) p < 0.05
Hearing class3 (mean, range)
  Preoperative 2.4 (1–5) 2.6 (1–3) 3.3 (2–5)
  Postoperative 4.1 (1–5) 4.2 (1–5) 5.0 (5)
  Change 1.8 1.6 2.3
Extent of resection
  Gross total 17 (29.3%) 4 (28.6%) 5 (33.3%)
  Near total 35 (60.3%) 10 (71.4%) 7 (46.7%)
  Subtotal 6 (10.3%) 2 (13.3%)
  Partial 1 (6.7%)
Drilling4 28 (48.3%) 7 (50.0%) 7 (46.7%)
Threshold increase5 2 (2.3%) 2 (16.7%) 4 (66.7%) p < 0.001
Loss of response5 2 (15.4%) 3 (37.5%) p < 0.01
Complication6 4 (6.8%) 2 (14.3%) 4 (26.7%)
Regrowth7 12 (20.3%) 3 (23.1%) 6 (40.0%)

Differences between groups were tested using the Kruskall-Wallis test and the chi square test. Significant differences have been indicated. Valid percentages of available data are reported for each parameter

1Size is determined according to largest extrameatal diameter (small ≤ 15 mm, 15 mm < medium ≤30 mm, large >30 mm)

2Diameter and volume are calculated for the extrameatal part of the tumor

3Koos grading of vestibular schwannoma: 1, intrameatal; 2, extending to the cerebellopontine angle; 3, in contact with the brainstem; 4, compressing the brainstem

4Hearing is determined according to the WHO classification

5Drilling of internal acoustic meatus

6Intraoperative increase in stimulation threshold or loss of response in facial nerve monitoring

7Postoperative complication requiring re-operation

8Regrowth during subsequent follow-up leading to intervention