ABSTRACT

Introduction: Unilateral vestibular schwannoma (VS) is a benign tumor arising from abnormally proliferative schwann cells, which envelope the lateral portion of the vestibular nerve in the internal acoustic meatus. The etiology of VS isn't known. The classical development of vestibular schwannomas comprises of an intracanalicular (iac) segment that later grows medially to the cisterna, trailed by cerebrum stem compression and hydrocephaluc in its late stages. The typical clinical presentation of an early (iac) vestibular schwannoma consists of symptoms related to cnviii—hearing misfortune, tinnitus, and vestibular brokenness.

Aim of study: To describe data on gender, age, tumor side and size and clinical presentation of vestibular schwannoma in al-diwanyah teaching hospital

Patient and methods: This is prospective cross-sectional study consist of 22 patients (8 male, 14 female) who consulted us at own clinics and otolaryngology department in al-diwaniya teaching hospital between january 2007- november 2021. All patient’s complaint from unilateral tinnitus and or hearing impairment full otolaryngology examination then patients sent for audiological assessment and mri with gadolinium contrast. Patient with radiological study not goes with radiological features of vestibular schwannoma or suspected other cpa tumors are excluded from study. Speech discrimination assessment of our patients according to american academy of otolaryngology, head and neck surgery classification of hearing quality.

Results: In this study we found that male patients were 8 (36.36%) while female patients constitute 14 (63.63%) of total patients in study. Mean age was 53 years the laterality of tumor was left side 12 patients (54.54%) in, in compares to right side 10 patients (45.45%). Unilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were the most common presentations 20 patients in each one 90.9% fallowed by imbalance, facial numbness, headache and facial weakness

Conclusions:

1. in most cases, asymmetric sensorineural hearing impairment is the most symptom of vestibular schwannoma.

2. magnetic resonance imaging was the modality of choice for definitive diagnosis.

3. mean age at presentation was 53 years (most patients between 4th and 6th decades).

4. nearly both sides equal involved, two cases more in left side.

5. tumor size at presentation is not correlated with the speech discrimination involvement.