A Systematic Review of Interventions for Balance Dysfunction in Patients With Vestibular Schwannoma

Changes in audiovestibular handicap following treatment of vestibular schwannomas

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess degree of audiovestibular handicap in patients with vestibular schwannoma.

METHODS

Audiovestibular handicap was assessed using the Hearing Handicap Inventory, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory and Dizziness Handicap Inventory. Patients completed questionnaires at presentation and at least one year following treatment with microsurgery, stereotactic radiosurgery or observation. Changes in audiovestibular handicap and factors affecting audiovestibular handicap were assessed.

RESULTS

All handicap scores increased at follow up, but not significantly. The Tinnitus Handicap Inventory and Dizziness Handicap Inventory scores predicted tinnitus and dizziness respectively. The Hearing Handicap Inventory was not predictive of hearing loss. Age predicted Tinnitus Handicap Inventory score and microsurgery was associated with a deterioration in Dizziness Handicap Inventory score.

CONCLUSION

Audiovestibular handicap is common in patients with vestibular schwannoma, with 75 per cent having some degree of handicap in at least one inventory. The overall burden of handicap was, however, low. The increased audiovestibular handicap over time was not statistically significant, irrespective of treatment modality.

Clinical practice guideline on the management of vestibular schwannoma

INTRODUCTION

Vestibular schwannoma (VS) is the most common tumour of the cerebellopontine angle. The greater accessibility to radiological tests has increased its diagnosis. Taking into account the characteristics of the tumour, the symptoms and the age of the patient, three therapeutic strategies have been proposed: observation, surgery or radiotherapy. Choosing the most appropriate for each patient is a frequent source of controversy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This paper includes an exhaustive literature review of issues related to VS that can serve as a clinical guide in the management of patients with these lesions. The presentation has been oriented in the form of questions that the clinician usually asks himself and the answers have been written and/or reviewed by a panel of national and international experts consulted by the Otology Commission of the SEORL-CCC.

RESULTS

A list has been compiled containing the 13 most controversial thematic blocks on the management of VS in the form of 50 questions, and answers to all of them have been sought through a systematic literature review (articles published on PubMed and Cochrane Library between 1992 and 2023 related to each thematic area). Thirty-three experts, led by the Otology Committee of SEORL-CCC, have analyzed and discussed all the answers. In Annex 1, 14 additional questions divided into 4 thematic areas can be found.

CONCLUSIONS

This clinical practice guideline on the management of VS offers agreed answers to the most common questions that are asked about this tumour. The absence of sufficient prospective studies means that the levels of evidence on the subject are generally medium or low. This fact increases the interest of this type of clinical practice guidelines prepared by experts.

Vestibular Impairment in Patients with Vestibular Schwannoma: A Journey through the Pitfalls of Current Literature

Vestibular Schwannoma is the most common tumour of Ponto Cerebellar Angle and is capable of strongly impacting the patient's quality of life. In recent decades, the proposals for the management of the disease have multiplied, just as the diagnostic capacity has improved. While in the past, the primary objective was the preservation of the facial function, and subsequently also of the auditory function, the attention to the vestibular symptomatology, which appears to be one of the main indicators of deterioration of quality of life, is still unsatisfactory. Many authors have tried to provide guidance on the best possible management strategy, but a universally recognized guideline is still lacking. This article offers an overview of the disease and the proposals which have advanced in the last twenty years, evaluating their qualities and defects in a critical reading.

Rehabilitation to Improve Gaze and Postural Stability in People With Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND

People with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) frequently experience dizziness and imbalance that may be caused by central vestibular system dysfunction. Vestibular rehabilitation may offer an approach for improving dysfunction in these people.

OBJECTIVE

To test the efficacy of a gaze and postural stability (GPS) retraining intervention compared to a strength and endurance (SAE) intervention in PwMS.

METHODS

About 41 PwMS, with complaints of dizziness or history of falls, were randomized to either the GPS or SAE groups. Following randomization participants completed 6-weeks of 3×/week progressive training, delivered one-on-one by a provider. Following intervention, testing was performed at the primary (6-weeks) and secondary time point (10-weeks). A restricted maximum likelihood estimation mixed effects model was used to examine changes in the primary outcome of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) between the 2 groups at the primary and secondary time point. Similar models were used to explore secondary outcomes between groups at both timepoints.

RESULTS

Thirty-five people completed the study (17 GPS; 18 SAE). The change in the DHI at the primary time point was not statistically different between the GPS and SAE groups (mean difference = 2.33 [95% CI -9.18, 12.85]). However, both groups demonstrated significant improvement from baseline to 6-weeks (GPS -8.73; SAE -7.31). Similar results were observed for secondary outcomes and at the secondary timepoint.

CONCLUSIONS

In this sample of PwMS with complaints of dizziness or imbalance, 6-weeks of GPS training did not result in significantly greater improvements in dizziness handicap or balance compared to 6-weeks of SAE training.

Factors Influencing Personalized Management of Vestibular Schwannoma: A Systematic Review

Management of vestibular schwannoma (VS) is a complex process aimed at identifying a clinical indication for fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (sRT) or microsurgical resection or wait and scan (WS). The aim of the review was to clarify which patient and tumor parameters may lead to different therapeutic choices, with a view to a personalized VS approach. A systematic review according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis criteria was conducted between February and March 2022. The authors defined six parameters that seemed to influence decision-making in VS management: 1-incidental VS; 2-tumor size; 3-tumor regrowth after sRT; 4-subtotal resection; 5-patients' age; 6-symptoms. The initial search yielded 3532 articles, and finally, 812 articles were included. Through a qualitative synthesis of the included studies, management strategies were evaluated and discussed. An individualized proposal of procedures is preferable as compared to a single gold-standard approach in VS decision-making. The most significant factors that need to be considered when dealing with a VS diagnosis are age, tumor size and hearing preservation issues.

Concurrent validity of the Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening (VOMS) tool with the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) among adolescents with vestibular symptoms/impairment following concussion

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether the Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening (VOMS) tool demonstrates concurrent validity with the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) in a sample of concussed athletes referred for vestibular therapy and whether DHI items were predictive of VOMS outcomes.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional cohort study.

SETTING

Concussion specialty/vestibular therapy clinic.

METHODS

Adolescents (n = 55; 15.4 ± 1.6 years) with diagnosed sport-related concussion (SRC) with vestibular symptoms and/or impairment between October 2018-February 2020. Patients completed VOMS and DHI at initial visit. Seven individual VOMS and twenty-five DHI items, VOMS and DHI total score and three DHI sub-scales, were compared with Spearman correlations. Three backwards linear regression (LR) models were built to predict 1. VOMS vestibular symptoms, 2. VOMS ocular symptoms, and 3. near-point of convergence-distance (NPC-distance) using individual DHI items as predictors.

RESULTS

Spearman correlations (p) identified DHI items with moderate to strong associations for VOMS items. DHI sub-scales demonstrated moderate-to-strong correlations with VOMS items (p = 0.30-0.59). Total DHI score demonstrated a moderate-to-strong association with HSAC (p = 0.30), VSAC (p = 0.32), and SP (p = 0.61). Results from the LRs predicting VOMS ocular symptoms (R (Alsalaheen et al., 2010) = 0.56; p < 0.001), and VOMS vestibular symptoms (R (Alsalaheen et al., 2010) = 0.23; p = 0.01), and NPC-distance (R (Alsalaheen et al., 2010) = 0.56; p < 0.001) included significant DHI predictors.

CONCLUSIONS

There was moderate-to-strong associations between VOMS and 56% of DHI items (i.e., p > 0.30).

Surgical Outcomes After Conservative Resection of Vestibular Schwannoma in the Elderly

OBJECTIVE

To assess outcomes after surgery for vestibular schwannoma in patients over 70 years of age.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective chart review.

SETTING

Two tertiary otology and neurotology centers.

PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS

Patients undergoing primary surgery for vestibular schwannoma between 2007 and 2018.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Postoperative complications and surgical outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 452 patients met inclusion criteria, 31 of whom (6.9%) were over 70 years of age. Age ranged from 18 to 90 years with a mean of 53 years. Elderly patients were more likely to have pre-existing hypertension (58.1% versus 34.0%, p = 0.007) and diabetes mellitus (19.4% versus 7.4%, p = 0.02). Elderly patients were less likely to undergo gross total resections of their tumors (35.5% versus 60.6%, p = 0.05) although they were not statistically significantly more likely to undergo subtotal (<95%) resections (25.8% versus 14.7%, p > 0.05). Elderly patients were also less likely to undergo second stage procedures (0% versus 9.5%, p = 0.04). There were no significant differences between elderly and non-elderly patients in the rates of any complications, ultimate facial nerve function, or duration of surgery. No patients over 70 years of age expired within 1 year of surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Conservative surgery for vestibular schwannoma in appropriately selected elderly patients is appropriate and safe, given adequate consideration to risk-benefit analysis and goals of care.

Contralesional High-Acceleration Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex Function in Vestibular Schwannoma

Impairment of ipsilesional vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) function is well described in vestibular schwannoma (VS) and a correlation between gain of the VOR and tumor size has been suggested. Bilateral VOR impairment may also occur in VS patients, but its mechanisms are poorly understood. We sought to explore the effect of unilateral VS on ipsilesional and contralesional high-acceleration VOR function using video head impulse testing, and evaluate potential factors responsible for contralesional VOR impairment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Chart review in tertiary referral center of patients with unilateral VS, who completed neurotological examination and vestibular function testing.

RESULTS

One hundred one patients (mean age 57.4 yrs) were included. Maximal tumor diameter ranged from 0.3 to 5.0 cm. Forty one patients had evidence of brainstem compression from VS on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Ipsilesional and contralesional VOR impairment was present in 81 (80%) and 44 (43%) patients, respectively. Bilateral VOR impairment was seen in 42 (42%) patients. Bilateral VOR impairment correlated with tumor size. Presence of brainstem compression was associated with reduced ipsilesional VOR gain, but not contralesional VOR gain.

Functional Gait Assessment scale in the rehabilitation of patients after vestibular tumor surgery in an acute hospital

BACKGROUND

Patients in the acute phase of rehabilitation after vestibular tumor surgery are dysfunctional in basic daily activities. Balance, gait impairments, and falls are prevalent with vestibular loss.

AIM

To determine the degree of balance disorders after vestibular tumor surgery, the susceptibility to falls and to assess motor tasks using the Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) scale for functional gait, as part of the vestibular rehabilitation program during hospital stay.

METHODS

Patients who achieved a score higher than 25 points on the Mini-Mental State Examination and higher than 8 points on the Barthel index were included in the study. They were evaluated with the Berg Balance Scale the second day after surgery, during their hospital stay, at discharge, and three months after surgery. Throughout their hospitalization, patients took part in the vestibular rehabilitation program, focusing on multiple motor tasks included in the FGA.

RESULTS

All patients progressed clinically and statistically significant differences in functional activities of daily living were observed during hospitalization, before discharge to the home environment (median = 11; P = 0.0059) and three months after vestibular tumor surgery (median = 8; P = 0.0058). After discharge from hospital, four patients were at risk of falls, and two patients were at risk at three months.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed a positive effect of the use of FGA tasks as part of a rehabilitation program on functional activities of daily living in patients after vestibular tumor surgery. Nevertheless, we suggest further research to include a larger sample and a control group to overcome the deficiencies of our study.