Patient Sample and Data Evaluation

This study was approved by the ethics review committee of the Medical University Vienna. Six hundred eighteen patients were treated with Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) for acoustic neuroma between 1992 and 2016 at the Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University Vienna. Fifty-three patients had not attained 1 year of follow-up by the end of the study period since their treatment was conducted in the course of the last year; therefore, these patients were excluded from analysis. Eight patients with neurofibromatosis were also excluded from analysis. Thus, 557 patients were included in our retrospective study: 452 patients (81%) had been treated with radiosurgery alone, whereas 105 patients (19%) had been treated with combined microsurgery-radiosurgery. In the combined group, microsurgery was performed prior to GKRS. All data were evaluated retrospectively. Patient and tumor characteristics are presented in Table 1. Koos acoustic neuroma grades were assessed using preoperative and preradiosurgical contrast-enhanced T1- and T2-weighted MRI and/or surgical reports.²¹ According to the Koos classification, grade I tumors are purely intracanalicular, grade II neuromas extend into the cerebellopontine angle without contact with the brainstem and have a maximum diameter of 20 mm, grade III neuromas occupy the cerebellopontine cistern without brainstem displacement, and grade IV tumors compress the brainstem and displace cranial nerves.²¹

Radiosurgical Technique

Patients were treated with a Leksell Gamma Knife (model B until 2011 and Perfexion from 2012 onwards, Elekta AB). The KULA system (Elekta AB) was used as planning software between 1992 and August 1997. GammaPlan (Elekta AB) was used from August 1997 onwards. The MRI planning sequences were performed on a 1.5-T scanner. Gadolinium contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MRI studies and T2-weighted MRI studies, as well as contrast-enhanced and bone window CT scans, were used in the treatment planning. The target was defined as a contrast-enhanced tumor mass on T1 sequences and as a hypointense tumor mass on T2 sequences. The whole tumor mass was covered without an additional margin. The intrameatal treatment volume was adapted according to bone window CT scans. The GKRS parameters are outlined in Table 2. In our pre-modern radiosurgical era (1992–2002), prescribed doses mainly targeted the 50% isodose line. In our modern radiosurgical era (2003–2016), isodose lines were adapted according to the Koos neuroma grade, although the prescription dose remained 12 Gy for almost all tumors. More specifically, prescribed doses mainly targeted the 70% isodose line for small intrameatal acoustic neuromas, the 60% or 70% isodose line for Koos grade II neuromas, and the 50% isodose line for Koos grade III or IV tumors. The median cochlear dose was retrospectively and uniformly assessed on bone window CT scans by one investigator (B.G.) using the histogram function of GammaPlan (Elekta AB) on the original treatment plans, on several consecutive days. Thus, the median cochlear dose could be retrospectively evaluated in 463 (83%) of 557 patients.

Follow-Up and Outcome Evaluation

Data for patients who were lost to follow-up were included in the study but excluded from the outcome analysis. Forty-one (7%) of 557 patients were lost to follow-up. In addition, we performed a death register comparison using data provided by Statistik Austria; therefore, we were able to determine that 18 (3%) of the 557 patients had died from other causes before a follow-up examination could be conducted. Thus, 498 patients had a minimum follow-up of 1 year, and 426 patients had a minimum follow-up of 2 years.

Therefore, we report long-term follow-up data on 426 patients with spontaneous acoustic neuroma. The median follow-up after GKRS was 5.1 years (2.0–20.7 years). Twenty-five percent of the patients (106 of 426) presented with a follow-up time equal to or longer than 10 years after radiosurgery. After GKRS, patients were generally followed up with MRI every year for the first 3 years and every 2–5 years in the subsequent follow-up period, depending on the radiological and clinical outcomes. At the same intervals, a clinical evaluation was conducted. However, as is usual in the clinical course, not every patient adhered to this schedule.

Patients were retrospectively assessed according to the Gardner-Robertson (GR) hearing scale¹⁴ and the House-Brackmann (HB) facial nerve function scale,¹⁷ both prior to GKRS and at the time of each follow-up. Thus, hearing function at the last follow-up was rated as preexisting anacusia, hearing deterioration to anacusia, hearing deterioration to nonserviceable hearing, hearing deterioration but still serviceable, or no hearing deterioration. At follow-up, brain MRI studies were evaluated and compared with treatment planning MRI studies, and the status of the treated neuroma was rated as stable, regression, or progression. A progression was diagnosed if the largest tumor diameter had increased by > 20%. A regression was noted if the largest tumor diameter had decreased by > 20%.¹⁵

Statistical Analysis

Statistical calculations included the Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U-test, and chi-square test for independent samples. In cases of multiple testing, Shaffer’s procedure was used as appropriate. Univariate and subsequent multivariate regression analyses were used to assess independent predictors of hearing preservation according to the GR class. The Kaplan-Meier method and actuarial life-table analysis were used to estimate tumor progression and hearing preservation rates. Differences in tumor progression between groups were assessed using the Mantel-Cox and generalized Wilcoxon tests. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. We used SPSS 23.0 software (SPSS Inc.).

Patient Presentation and Treatment Era

When analyzing the different treatment eras, a significant difference became evident. In the 1st decade of radiosurgical treatment at our center (1992–2002), almost half of the patients (57 [43%] of 133) were treated with microsurgery prior to GKRS, whereas in the modern radiosurgical era (2003–2016), most patients (376 [89%] of 424) were treated with radiosurgery only (p < 0.001). Of note, the total number of patients in that 1st era of radiosurgical treatment (133 patients) was much smaller than in the second (424). All Koos neuroma grades were treated with GKRS in both the combined approach and the GKRS-only groups. Still, in our pre-modern radiosurgical era, patients were predominantly diagnosed with Koos grade III or IV neuromas (93 [70%] of 133 patients), whereas in the modern radiosurgical era, significantly fewer patients (203 [48%] of 424 patients; p < 0.001) were diagnosed with these higher-grade neuromas.

Clinical presentation at the time of GKRS is described in Table 1. Almost all GKRS targets in the combined approach group (101 [96%] of 105) were described as residuals after microsurgery. In the remaining 4 cases, patient admission letters describe a recurrence, although postmicrosurgical images were not available. In those cases, microsurgery had been performed prior to 1995. The majority of patients in the combined group (90 [86%] of 105) underwent 1 microsurgery prior to GKRS; the remaining patients underwent microsurgery twice (13 [12%] of 105) or even more often (2 [2%] of 105). Although a substantial proportion of patients (96 [21%] of 452) with Koos grade IV neuromas were treated with radiosurgery only, most patients in the combined group (59 [56%] of 105) were classified as having Koos grade IV neuromas prior to microsurgery (p < 0.001). However, after microsurgery and before GKRS, 40% of patients (42 of 105) were still classified as having Koos grade IV neuromas. The median time to GKRS after the last microsurgery was 3.3 years (0.2–28.6 years).

Complications After Radiosurgery

After GKRS, the total rate of persisting complications among the 498 patients with a minimum follow-up of 1 year was 6.4% (Table 3). This rate includes 5 patients who underwent microsurgical resection after GKRS due to (pseudo-) progression of the tumor, as well as 1 patient with malignant transformation (Figs. 1 and 2) after GKRS. Of note, the complication rate in the modern radiosurgical era at our center was significantly (p = 0.039) lower (5%) than that in the pre-modern era (11%). A further decline in the complication rate to 4% has been noted since the implementation of the Gamma Knife Perfexion unit in 2012. Moreover, no persisting new facial nerve paresis was seen after GKRS in our modern radiosurgical era. Hydrocephalus after GKRS was diagnosed in 16 patients (3% of 498). However, the risk of developing hydrocephalus after GKRS varied significantly among the Koos neuroma grades (p < 0.001). No hydrocephalus was observed among the patients with Koos grade I acoustic neuromas. The hydrocephalus risk was 0.6% for patients with Koos grade II neuromas, 2.8% for those with Koos grade III, and 9.1% for those with Koos grade IV. Although slightly higher in percentage, the complication rate following GKRS did not increase statistically significantly in the group of patients who had undergone prior microsurgical resection.

Images from a case with malignant transformation after GKRS. Planning T1-weighted contrast-enhanced (A) and T2-weighted (B) MRI sequences obtained in a patient undergoing radiosurgery with a 13-Gy prescription dose targeting the 50% isodose line for acoustic neuroma. A preradiosurgery biopsy was not performed. Axial T1-weighted contrast-enhanced (C) and T2-weighted (D) images obtained 8 years after radiosurgery, showing significant tumor progression. The patient underwent microsurgery. Postoperative MRI showed total tumor resection (not shown). Histopathological analysis revealed schwannoma with a rather high MIB-1 labeling index (see Fig. 2A–D). Eight months later, the patient developed sudden hemiparesis and ataxia. Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MRI (E and F) revealed a massive, multifocal tumor recurrence. A second microsurgical resection/mass reduction was performed. Histopathology revealed a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (PNST). One month later, follow-up contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MR images (G and H) revealed another multifocal and even contralateral tumor recurrence and progression.

Histopathological studies from a case with malignant transformation after GKRS. Eight years after GKRS, microsurgical resection and subsequent histopathological analysis revealed a schwannoma (A and inset B) but already containing well-delineated areas (A and D, arrows) with increased cellularity, brisk mitotic activity (inset C), and a rather high MIB-1 labeling index of 35%, in retrospect indicating transformation into a malignant PNST. A second microsurgical resection was performed 8 months after the first because of clinical deterioration and multifocal recurrence. Histopathological analysis showed increased anisomorphism throughout the entire tumor tissue (E) with an MIB-1 labeling index of up to 63% (F), thus fulfilling the criteria for a malignant PNST. One month later the patient died as a result of brainstem compression. H & E (A–C, E), original magnification ×40 (A), ×200 (B, D–F), ×600 (C). Figure is available in color online only.

Separate from the persisting complications, temporary complications were noted as well, including facial tics (13 [3%] of 498), facial nerve paresis (2 [0.4%] of 498), and disabling vertigo (1 [0.2%] of 498) in patients who showed remission after a certain follow-up period. A temporary and generally short-lived worsening of preexisting symptoms, especially vertigo and tinnitus, typically 6 months after GKRS, was reported by a third of the patients (150 [30%] of 498).

Tumor Control and Outcome

Follow-up and outcome data were available for 426 patients with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. The median follow-up among these patients was 5.1 years, and a quarter of the patients (106 of 426) had a follow-up equal to or longer than 10 years. In total, 2871 patient-years of follow-up were assessed.

The radiological outcome revealed that the majority of patients were diagnosed with stable (220 [52%] of 426) or shrinking (174 [41%] of 426) tumors. Thus, we report an overall tumor control rate of 92% at the last follow-up. Actuarial statistics are provided in Fig. 3A. When the radiosurgery-only and combined groups were analyzed separately, no difference in tumor control rates was revealed. Twenty-three patients (5% of 426) showed initial tumor progression or swelling after radiosurgical treatment, but the tumors stabilized on their own after several years of follow-up. Thus, there was a 98% rate of overall tumor control without the need for additional treatment at the last follow-up. Actuarial statistics also revealed a tumor control rate with no additional treatment of 98% at 5, 10, 15, and 20 years. In only 6 patients (1.4% of 426) was microsurgical resection after GKRS considered necessary because of tumor growth or the patient’s wishes. In 1 of these cases, a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor was diagnosed histopathologically (Figs. 1 and 2). Furthermore, 3 patients (1% of 426) had clinical follow-up but no radiological follow-up. The radiological outcome showed no significant association either with the Koos neuroma grade at the time of GKRS or with prior microsurgical resection. Of note, the rate of stable or regressing lesions among Koos grade IV acoustic neuromas was similar to that for all other Koos grades (Figs. 3B and 4). Two of the 6 patients who underwent microsurgical resection after GKRS had initially been diagnosed with Koos grade IV acoustic neuroma.

A: Kaplan-Meier analysis of the tumor control rate in a sample with a minimum of 2 years of follow-up (423 patients). Patients were censored at the last available radiological follow-up. Time is relative to the date of GKRS. Actuarial analysis revealed radiological tumor control rates of 92%, 91%, 91%, and 91% at 5, 10, 15, and 20 years, respectively. B: Bar graph of tumor control rates according to Koos acoustic neuroma grades. Tumor control rates were similar across all Koos grades.

Examples of patients with larger acoustic neuromas and their long-term follow-ups. Three months after initial patient presentation with tinnitus and hearing deterioration, an acoustic neuroma was radiologically diagnosed on contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MR images (A–C). At the time of GKRS, the patient had GR class II hearing. A prescription dose of 12 Gy was delivered to the 50% isodose line. The target volume was 4.7 cm³. Ten-year follow-up contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MRI showed significant tumor shrinkage (D–F). At the time of the last follow-up, the patient was experiencing nonserviceable hearing (GR class III) but had grown accustomed to the persisting tinnitus. No postradiosurgical complications were noted. Another patient experienced nonserviceable hearing (GR class III) and slight dysfunction of the facial nerve (HB grade II). Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MRI (G–I) showed an acoustic neuroma with slight compression of the brainstem, which was radiosurgically treated in 1999. A prescription dose of 12 Gy was delivered to the 50% isodose line. The target volume was 9.1 cm³. Regular follow-up MRI showed continuous tumor shrinkage. At the 17-year follow-up, the tumor volume was significantly reduced (J–L). The patient experienced poor hearing (GR class IV), but no postradiosurgical complications had occurred. A third patient initially presented with nonserviceable hearing (GR class III). Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MRI (M–O) showed an acoustic neuroma with moderate compression of the brainstem. A prescription dose of 12 Gy was delivered to the 45% isodose line. The target volume was 3.4 cm³. After GKRS, the patient experienced a transient tic and transient facial paresis. The patient received dexamethasone treatment and was relieved from both symptoms a few months after GKRS. At the 8-year follow-up, MRI (P–R) showed a significant reduction in tumor volume. The patient’s hearing was graded as GR class III at follow-up.

Over the course of the last 25 years at our center, several prescription doses have been applied to treat acoustic neuromas. Significant differences were found between the pre-modern and the modern radiosurgical eras (p < 0.001) in terms of the prescribed dose: Since 2002, most patients (and since 2012, almost all patients) have been treated with a prescription dose of 12 Gy. In earlier years, however, a prescription dose of 13 or 14 Gy was regularly used as well. Note that when we pooled these doses by groups of patients who had received below 12 Gy, exactly 12 Gy, and above 12 Gy, we found no statistically significant impact on the radiological outcome.

We additionally performed univariate log-rank tests of time to progression and the impact of radiosurgical dose, Koos neuroma grade, and microsurgical pretreatment. No significant difference in tumor control was found; thus, further multivariate regression analysis was not performed.

Hearing Preservation and Outcome-Influencing Risk Factors

Among all patients with a minimum follow-up of 2 years, univariate regression analysis revealed that the GR hearing class prior to GKRS, Koos grade at GKRS, median cochlear dose, age at GKRS, prescription dose, radiation time, and target volume seemed to have a significant impact on the GR hearing class at the last follow-up. However, in the multivariate regression model, only the GR class prior to GKRS and the median dose to the cochlea were found to be independent predictors of the GR class at follow-up (p < 0.001 and p = 0.029, respectively).

The number of patients with nonserviceable or worse hearing prior to GKRS was generally rather high (Table 1). Moreover, in our pre-modern radiosurgical era, most patients (79%) presented with already nonserviceable or worse hearing at the time of GKRS. In contrast, in the last decade, more than a third of the patients (39%) were diagnosed with still-serviceable or good hearing.

Thus, 132 patients who were diagnosed with good or serviceable hearing prior to GKRS, had no additional treatment after GKRS, and had a minimum follow-up of 2 years can be included in the following subgroup analysis. Among these patients, the rate of serviceable hearing at the last follow-up was 55%. We aimed to evaluate a cutoff value for the median cochlear dose by pooling cochlear doses above and below 4 Gy, 5 Gy, and 6 Gy. In our series, after correction for multiple testing, patients who received a median cochlear dose above 6 Gy showed a significantly higher rate of nonserviceable hearing (pooled GR classes III–V) at the last follow-up than that in patients in whom the median cochlear dose was retrospectively evaluated as less than 6 Gy (p = 0.027). Actuarial statistics revealed hearing preservation rates of 53%, 34%, and 34% at 5, 10, and 15 years after GKRS among the 132 patients. Four of the patients were excluded from these actuarial statistics: Although recent follow-up data indicating nonserviceable hearing were available, the exact date of the loss of serviceable hearing could not be determined since these patients did not regularly show up for their follow-up appointments.

The Ever-Changing Landscape in Acoustic Neuroma Management

Over the last decades, the management of acoustic neuroma has changed. Microsurgery, formerly recognized as the primary treatment for all tumor grades, has increasingly been replaced by stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS).^8,30–32 Excellent tumor control rates following SRS have been widely reported and range from 87% to 100%.^{7,16,30,33,35} In a recent publication, Kondziolka and colleagues suggested that the only remaining indications for resection in a patient with a small to moderate-sized vestibular schwannoma are brainstem compression, intractable trigeminal neuralgia or headache, hydrocephalus, an unclear diagnosis, and the patient’s choice.²² We have made similar observations about the last 25 years of treatment provided at our institution: Since 2002, the majority of GKRS-treated acoustic neuromas have been treated with radiosurgery alone, whereas before 2002, patients were often treated with combined microsurgery-radiosurgery. The shift toward radiosurgery becomes even more apparent when analyzing our modern radiosurgical treatment era since the implementation of the Gamma Knife Perfexion unit: 352 patients with a diagnosis of acoustic neuroma were treated at our department between 2012 and 2016. Almost two-thirds of those patients underwent radiosurgery alone, and only one-third primarily underwent microsurgical resection, though some were later treated radiosurgically as well. Unfortunately, not all issues regarding acoustic neuroma treatment have been resolved. Indeed, a recent extensive study on the natural course of acoustic neuroma reported that, after a median follow-up of less than 2 years, more than 40% of patients presented with tumor growth, thus validating early treatment in our opinion.¹⁹

In a recently published analysis of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, authors from the US reported that increasing numbers of patients are treated conservatively.⁸ However, other studies have indicated that a wait-and-see policy exposes patients to elevated risks of tumor growth and degradation of hearing.^19,32,33,42

This shift toward conservatism described in some recent studies is counterbalanced by other equally recent studies in which it is clearly noted that—besides age—patient race and insurance status seem to independently influence acoustic neuroma management and outcome.^4,26 Many single-center studies and meta-analyses have evaluated both microsurgery and radiosurgery as effective treatment options for acoustic neuroma.^{3,7,8,11,22,23,32,33,35,36,41} The tumor control rates in our study match the excellent control rates following radiosurgery that are amply described in the literature.^7,16,33,35 Moreover, for small to medium-sized neuromas, radiosurgery has been reported to have clear advantages over microsurgery in terms of postinterventional complication rates and reduced costs for patients and the health care system.^12,22,27,41 Adding to the body of evidence is an extensive multicenter study reporting that quality of life is rather similar between management options and is affected by the diagnosis of acoustic neuroma rather than the treatment strategy.¹¹ Other studies have even attributed a higher quality of life to radiosurgically treated patients.³⁰

Evolution of Radiosurgical Treatment Planning and Postradiosurgical Complications

Hardware and software improvements over the past decades have significantly changed the radiosurgical field. When we started GKRS treatment of acoustic neuroma in the early 1990s, treatment planning focused on the 50% isodose line. Typical prescription doses at our center and elsewhere were 13 and 14 Gy or even higher.¹³ Soon thereafter, at least at our center, prescription doses of 12 or 13 Gy replaced the higher prescription doses. In our modern radiosurgical era, we almost exclusively treated acoustic neuromas with a 12-Gy prescription dose. According to our outcome data, tumor control rates among patients treated with a 12-Gy prescription dose are equal to those among patients treated with higher prescription doses. Moreover, isodose lines are now adapted according to the Koos neuroma grade: prescribed doses mainly target the 70% isodose line for small intrameatal acoustic neuromas, the 60% or 70% isodose line for Koos grade II tumors, and the 50% isodose line for Koos grades III or IV tumors. For larger acoustic neuromas treated on the 50% isodose line, planning is conducted in such a way that the high dose range is as small as possible and out of the way of the presumed course of the facial nerve. Because of this treatment strategy, complication rates in our modern radiosurgical era are significantly lower than before. Moreover, no persisting facial nerve paresis after GKRS was seen in our modern radiosurgical era. Furthermore, we have aimed to minimize the cochlear dose, which has been significantly facilitated since the implementation of the Gamma Knife Perfexion unit in 2012 and the option of dynamic shaping. Still, we do not recommend undertreating intracanalicular tumors in favor of low cochlear doses.²⁰

Radiosurgery as a treatment option for large acoustic neuromas remains a matter of controversy. In our series, a rather high number of patients were diagnosed with acoustic neuromas classified as Koos grade IV and showed good outcomes. Long-term tumor control rates were similar to those observed for other Koos neuroma grades. However, larger acoustic neuromas in our series mainly presented with minimal or moderate brainstem compression. Still, complication rates were higher among the patients with large acoustic neuromas. There was a significant risk of developing hydrocephalus after GKRS, even in our modern radiosurgical era, whereas, at least in our series, other complications were comparable to those observed for other Koos neuroma grades.^6,16 Radiosurgery has been described as an effective management option for patients whose tumors remain or recur after microsurgery.¹⁷ In our series, we found high tumor control rates after a combined microsurgical-radiosurgical treatment as well. Thus, for large or giant acoustic neuromas with significant brainstem compression or hydrocephalus, the following combined approach should be considered: initial microsurgical brainstem decompression with functional and anatomical preservation of the neural structures, followed by radiosurgery for residual tumor.^18,22

Limitations of Our Study

Our study reports on long-term follow-up data in a large series of acoustic neuroma patients. Limitations of our study include its retrospective character as well as its center and treatment bias. Because of our hospital’s treatment policy, we cannot provide comprehensive data on the natural history of acoustic neuromas. However, our median follow-up of 5 years and range of 2–21 years after radiosurgery are among the longest reported follow-up periods. Moreover, 106 patients (25%) had follow-up times equal to or longer than 10 years after radiosurgery.

Malignant Transformation After Radiosurgery

In radiosurgical treatment, the irradiated volume is generally small and the high single doses administered to the target should theoretically lead to cytotoxicity and not mutagenicity.²⁸ Generally, the risk of a malignancy developing after radiosurgery has been specified as 0.04% at 15 years after treatment.²⁸ Single cases of malignant transformation after radiosurgical management of acoustic neuromas have been reported in large series, with a calculated risk between 0.03% and 0.3%.^15,24,28 However, malignant transformation of acoustic neuroma has been described after microsurgery as well.²⁴ In our series, 1 case of malignant transformation of a spontaneous acoustic neuroma was observed, amounting to a risk rate of 0.2% (Figs. 1 and 2). The malignant transformation was found 8 years after GKRS. No preradiosurgery biopsy was available in this patient; thus, neither Cahan’s criteria to determine if secondary neoplasms are radiation induced nor Cahan’s criteria as modified per Maducdoc et al. were fulfilled.²⁴ Moreover, de novo malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors of the eighth cranial nerve have been reported without prior irradiation as well.⁹ Taking all of these factors into consideration, we assert that GKRS is a safe treatment option for acoustic neuroma patients, but caution is necessary when counseling young patients and patients with neurofibromatosis.^9,15,24,28

Hearing Preservation and Dose to the Cochlea

To quote a recent paper by Jacob and colleagues, “it is not yet clear if a reliable hearing preservation is the ‘holy grail’ or the ‘unicorn’ in acoustic neuroma treatment.”²⁰ Declines in hearing have been described in a significant portion of patients after relatively short follow-ups, even among patients who only had intrameatal acoustic neuromas and went without treatment.^29,32 Similar to our data, among patients with serviceable hearing prior to GKRS, the rate of serviceable hearing preservation following radiosurgery is generally reported to be approximately 50% at the long-term follow-up and is sometimes reported to be higher.^15,23,32,37 Tumor size, cochlear dose, age, initial symptom other than hearing decrement, and level of hearing prior to treatment have been described as risk factors.^20,23,37 Our data indicate that the level of hearing prior to treatment and the cochlear dose are the main risk factors among patients with serviceable hearing prior to treatment. In our opinion, it is important to note that the majority of patients generally present with nonserviceable hearing prior to GKRS. Although we try to minimize the cochlear dose, we, like the authors of a previously published paper, do not recommend undertreating intracanalicular tumors in favor of low cochlear doses since several other factors seem to play crucial roles.²⁰

In recent small series of NF2 patients with postlingual deafness, cochlear implants (CIs) have provided favorable hearing restoration.^39,40 In addition, several new aspects in the context of CIs have apparently reopened the discussion on the management of both sporadic and NF2-associated acoustic neuromas. Cochlear implants have been shown to restore hearing and suppress tinnitus even in patients with contralateral normal hearing.² Modern CIs seem to allow postimplantation MRI and the depiction of the ipsilateral internal auditory canal and cerebellopontine angle.^37,38 Moreover, electrophysiological assessment of the auditory nerve has become more reliable in predicting the nerve’s integrity and thus the possibility to restore hearing with CIs.⁵ The latter point is of importance in the context of GKRS: one topic of discussion is that radiation-induced injury to the cochlear nerve would compromise the potential for hearing restoration through a CI and that radiosurgery might be disadvantageous for long-term preservation or potential restoration of hearing.⁴⁰ To date, only circumstantial evidence exists regarding CIs and radiosurgery or radiotherapy. However, available data show that CIs lead to improved hearing in NF2 patients who have undergone radiation treatment to control their acoustic neuroma.^34,39 In the future, hearing remediation among patients with spontaneous acoustic neuroma may also include cochlear implantation—all discussion about costs to the patients and the health care system and possible complications aside.^1,32,34

Previous Presentations

Portions of this work were presented in abstract form/oral presentation at the OEGNC, Linz, Austria, in October 2016 and at the ISRS, Montreux, Switzerland, in May 2017.