Predictive factors of acoustic neuroma growth

Abstract

<p class="abstract"><strong><span lang="EN-US">Background:</span></strong>Since the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as the gold standard for acoustic neuroma diagnosis, the size of the majority of newly diagnosed acoustic neuromas has decreased. Management strategy is challenging, especially in young patients with small tumors. Therefore, prognostic factors for tumor growth may facilitate physicians to optimize treatment choice.</p><p class="abstract"><strong><span lang="EN-US">Methods:</span></strong>Patients diagnosed with acoustic neuromas were recruited in this study. Gender, age, side, presence of hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, unsteadiness, other symptoms, hearing level in the affected ear and tumor growth at the first follow up MRI were recorded. Two primary endpoints were set: overall acoustic neuroma (AN) growth and growth correlated to treatment plan change (clinically significant growth). Multivariate and survival analysis were conducted to this end. </p><p class="abstract"><strong><span lang="EN-US">Results:</span></strong>85 patients were finally included in the study. The most prevalent presenting symptoms were hearing loss (76%), tinnitus (56%) and unsteadiness (46%). The tumour grew in size in less than 50% of the cases during the observation period. Clinically significant growth was observed in 27% of the cases. Mean initial diameter was 10.41mm and mean final follow-up diameter (diameter at the end of the observation period) 12.73 mm. Following binary logistic regression analysis, tumour growth during the initial follow up visit was found to be correlated in a statistically significant level to overall tumour growth (p-value 0.023). Regarding clinically significant growth, three factors were found to be statistically significant: growth at the initial visit (p-value 0.02), initial diameter (p-value 0.045) and existence of unsteadiness at diagnosis (p-value 0.02).</p><p class="abstract"><strong><span lang="EN-US">Conclusions:</span></strong>Acoustic neuroma overall growth is not identical to clinically significant growth. Growth at first visit is a significant prognostic factor and intervention potential should be considered under this perspective.</p>