Resection of vestibular schwannomas after stereotactic radiosurgery: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Multiple short series have evaluated the efficacy of salvage microsurgery (MS) after stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for treatment of vestibular schwannomas (VSs); however, there is a lack of a large volume of patient data available for interpretation and clinical adaptation. The goal of this study was to provide a comprehensive review of tumor characteristics, management, and surgical outcomes of salvage of MS after SRS for VS.

METHODS

The Medline/PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases were queried according to PRISMA guidelines. All English-language and translated publications were included. Studies lacking adequate study characteristics and outcomes were excluded. Cases involving neurofibromatosis type 2, previous MS, or malignant transformation were excluded when possible.

RESULTS

Twenty studies containing 297 cases met inclusion criteria. Three additional cases from Rush University Medical Center were added for 300 total cases. Tumor growth with or without symptoms was the primary indication for salvage surgery (92.3% of cases), followed by worsening of symptoms without growth (4.6%) and cystic enlargement (3.1%). The average time to MS after SRS was 39.4 months. The average size and volume of tumor at surgery were 2.44 cm and 5.92 cm3, respectively. The surgical approach was retrosigmoid (42.8%) and translabyrinthine (57.2%); 59.5% of patients had a House-Brackmann (HB) grade of I or II. The facial nerve was preserved in 91.5% of cases. Facial nerve preservation and HB grades were lower for the translabyrinthine versus retrosigmoid approach (p = 0.31 and p = 0.18, respectively); however, fewer complications were noted in the translabyrinthine approach (p = 0.29). Gross-total resection (GTR) was completed in 55.7% of surgeries. Studies that predominantly used subtotal resection (STR) were associated with a lower rate of facial nerve injury (5.3% vs 11.3%, p = 0.07) and higher rate of HB grade I or II (72.9% vs 48.0%, p = 0.00003) versus those using predominantly GTR. However, majority STR was associated with a recurrence rate of 3.6% as compared to 1.4% for majority GTR (p = 0.29).

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that the leading cause of MS after SRS was tumor growth at an average of 39.4 months after radiation. There were no significant differences in outcomes of facial nerve preservation, postoperative HB grade, or complication rate based on surgical approach. Patients who underwent STR showed statistically significant better HB outcomes compared with GTR. MS after SRS was considered by most authors to be more difficult than primary MS. These data support the notion that the surgical goals of salvage surgery are debulking of tumor mass, decreasing compression of the brainstem, and not necessarily pursuing GTR.

Surgical management for large vestibular schwannomas: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and consensus statement on behalf of the EANS skull base section

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The optimal management of large vestibular schwannomas continues to be debated. We constituted a task force comprising the members of the EANS skull base committee along with international experts to derive recommendations for the management of this problem from a European perspective.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A systematic review of MEDLINE database, in compliance with the PRISMA guidelines, was performed. A subgroup analysis screening all surgical series published within the last 20 years (January 2000 to March 2020) was performed. Weighted summary rates for tumor resection, oncological control, and facial nerve preservation were determined using meta-analysis models. This data along with contemporary practice patterns were discussed within the task force to generate consensual recommendations regarding preoperative evaluations, optimal surgical strategy, and follow-up management.

RESULTS

Tumor classification grades should be systematically used in the perioperative management of patients, with large vestibular schwannomas (VS) defined as > 30 mm in the largest extrameatal diameter. Grading scales for pre- and postoperative hearing (AAO-HNS or GR) and facial nerve function (HB) are to be used for reporting functional outcome. There is a lack of consensus to support the superiority of any surgical strategy with respect to extent of resection and use of adjuvant radiosurgery. Intraoperative neuromonitoring needs to be routinely used to preserve neural function. Recommendations for postoperative clinico-radiological evaluations have been elucidated based on the surgical strategy employed.

CONCLUSION

The main goal of management of large vestibular schwannomas should focus on maintaining/improving quality of life (QoL), making every attempt at facial/cochlear nerve functional preservation while ensuring optimal oncological control, thereby allowing to meet patient expectations. Despite the fact that this analysis yielded only a few Class B evidences and mostly expert opinions, it will guide practitioners to manage these patients and form the basis for future clinical trials.

Temporal Dynamics of Pseudoprogression After Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Vestibular Schwannomas-A Retrospective Volumetric Study

BACKGROUND

The optimal observation interval after the radiosurgical treatment of a sporadic vestibular schwannoma, prior to salvage intervention, is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To determine an optimal postradiosurgical treatment interval for differentiating between pseudoprogression and true tumor growth by analyzing serial volumetric data.

METHODS

This single-institution retrospective study included all sporadic vestibular schwannomas treated with Gamma Knife radiosurgery (Eketa AB, Stockholm, Sweden; 12-13 Gy) from 2002 to 2014. Volumetric analysis was performed on all available pre- and posttreatment magnetic resonance imaging scans. Tumors were classified as "stable/decreasing," "transient enlargement", or "persistent growth" after treatment, based on incrementally increasing follow-up durations.

RESULTS

A total of 118 patients included in the study had a median treatment tumor volume of 0.74 cm3 (interquartile range [IQR] = 0.34-1.77 cm3) and a median follow-up of 4.1 yr (IQR = 2.6-6.0 yr). Transient tumor enlargement was observed in 44% of patients, beginning at a median of 1 yr (IQR = 0.6-1.4 yr) posttreatment, with 90% reaching peak volume within 3.5 yr, posttreatment. Volumetric enlargement resolved at a median of 2.4 yr (IQR 1.9-3.6 yr), with 90% of cases resolved at 6.9 yr. Increasing follow-up revealed that many of the tumors initially enlarging 1 to 3 yr after stereotactic radiosurgery ultimately begin to shrink on longer follow-up (45% by 4 yr, 77% by 6 yr).

CONCLUSION

Tumor enlargement within ∼3.5 yr of treatment should not be used as a sole criterion for salvage treatment. Patient symptoms and tumor size must be considered, and giving tumors a chance to regress before opting for salvage treatment may be worthwhile.