Molecular Pathogenesis of Vestibular Schwannomas: Insights for the Development of Novel Medical Therapies

Cerebellopontine angle tumor presenting as acute audiovestibular syndrome

BACKGROUND

Acute audiovestibular deficits may be a harbinger of vestibular schwannoma (VS).

OBJECTIVE

To investigate clinical and laboratory features of 25 consecutive patients with VS presenting with acute audiovestibular deficits.

METHODS

A symptomatic combination of acute audiovestibular deficits was investigated. Audiometric and vestibular function tests, and internal auditory canal magnetic resonance imaging (IAC MRI) results were evaluated.

RESULTS

Varying combinations of symptoms may develop in VS patients with acute audiovestibular deficits, of whom sudden hearing loss (HL) without acute vertigo or acute facial nerve palsy (FNP) was most common. The most common audiometric configuration was high-tone hearing loss, and no patient showed low-tone hearing loss. IAC MRI demonstrated that the tumor had an intracanalicular portion and attachment to the bony IAC wall in all patients and widened the IAC wall in some patients.

CONCLUSION

Different symptomatic combinations of acute audiovestibular deficits may develop in patients with VS. Awareness about the possibility of VS as a cause of sudden HL, acute vertigo, and acute FNP, as well as subsequent IAC MRI scanning is vital to earlier diagnosis of VS in these patients.

The role of vascular endothelial growth factor and vascular stability in diseases of the ear

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a critical mediator of vascular permeability and angiogenesis and likely plays an important role in cochlear function and hearing. This review highlights the role of VEGF in hearing loss associated with vestibular schwannomas, otitis media with effusion, and sensorineural hearing loss.

STUDY DESIGN

PubMed literature review.

METHODS

A review of the literature was conducted to determine the role of VEGF in diseases affecting hearing.

RESULTS

Therapeutic efficacy has been demonstrated for the anti-VEGF agent bevacizumab in vestibular schwannomas, with tumor size reduction and hearing improvement in patients with neurofibromatosis type 2. The loss of functional Merlin, the protein product of the nf2 gene, results in a decrease in expression of the anti-angiogenic protein SEMA3F through a Rac-1-dependent mechanism, allowing VEGF to promote angiogenesis. Bevacizumab may therefore restore the angiogenic balance through inhibiting the relative increase in VEGF. Many of the clinical findings of otitis media with effusion can be reproduced by delivery of recombinant VEGF through transtympanic injection or submucosal osmotic pump. VEGF receptor inhibitors have been demonstrated to improve hearing in an animal model of otitis media with effusion. VEGF affects both the inner ear damage and repair processes in sensorineural hearing loss.

CONCLUSIONS

VEGF has an important role in vestibular schwannomas, otitis media with effusion, and sensorineural hearing loss.

The clinical characteristics and treatment for sudden sensorineural hearing loss with vestibular schwannoma

The aim of this study is to analyze the clinical characteristics and treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) patients with vestibular schwannoma (VS). The clinical features of the VS patients were explored by retrospectively analyzing the clinical data from 542 cases of SSNHL patients between January 2008 and March 2013. There were 10 cases (10 ears) diagnosed with VS in 542 cases of SSNHL patients (10 ears, 1.85 %), 3 males, 7 females, with a range of 28-57 years. Among all the cases, eight patients with abnormal ABR, ten with ear ipsilateral stapedius reflexes which were completely not elicited and seven patients with healthy ear contralateral stapedius reflexes which were completely not elicited. Neuromas were classified by Koos grades according to size (8 of grade I, 1 of grade II, 1 of grade IV). Eight small VS  patients were taken waiting and MRI therapy strategies. Meanwhile, we used glucocorticoid treatment and timely and short-term medication to improve the microcirculation of the inner ear for these patients. And four cases' hearing was improved. Some vestibular schwannomas have SSNHL as initial symptoms, especially the small ones in internal auditory canal. To prevent misdiagnosis or leak-diagnosis, MRI should be performed as a routine test for SSNHL, and ABR is sometimes necessary for SSNHL patients. It is also necessary to give appropriate treatment to protect hearing of the small vestibular schwannoma patients whose first symptoms are diagnosed as SSNHL in acute phase.