Nonvestibulocochlear Cranial Nerve Schwannomas

Abstract

Nonvestibulocochlear cranial nerve schwannomas traditionally have been managed by surgical excision. Although debulking surgery is still considered the first treatment option for larger tumors, stereotactic radiosurgery is now preferred for smaller tumors because of its high tumor control rate and low treatment-related morbidity. Furthermore, an initial period of radiologic and clinical observation following the diagnosis should be strongly considered for smaller tumors because some may not grow or may grow at a slow rate. Medical management of tumor-associated symptoms (when present) should not be ignored. Most importantly, the time has come to embark on the first randomized controlled trials comparing clinical and radiologic observation, surgery, and radiosurgery in the management of cranial nerve schwannomas.