Monitoring
Follow-up imaging intervals depend on the treating physician's recommendation. For observation of smaller tumours, repeat magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans are recommended 6 months after initial presentation, then yearly if stable. In general, life-long follow-up is required for a patient with a vestibular schwannoma, usually with increasing time intervals between scans once stability of the tumour is determined based on several prior scans. After surgery, a reasonable postoperative imaging schedule following gross total resection of a vestibular schwannoma includes a baseline postoperative MRI within the first 12 months, then one subsequent scan between 1 and 3 years, at 5 years, and at 10 years following surgery. Following radiosurgery, provided the patient remains neurologically well, a reasonable post-treatment imaging schedule of a vestibular schwannoma that is <2 cm in greatest posterior fossa diameter includes a baseline post-treatment MRI at 6 months, then yearly for the first 3 years, then biennially until 10 years, then every 5 years indefinitely.[34][58][73][94] Referral to an experienced neurosurgeon and/or neuro-otologist with expertise in these tumours is highly recommended.
Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer