Efficacy of stereotactic radiosurgery for facial nerve schwannoma
Reviewed by Gauri Mankekar

This international multicentre study reviewed the results of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in 63 patients with facial nerve schwannoma over three decades. The facial nerve schwannoma were distinguished from vestibular schwannoma based on intraoperative findings or typical temporal or extra temporal bone involvement. Preoperative facial nerve weakness was noted in 75% of the patients. The mean tumour volume and margin dose for this cohort was 2.0 ± 2.4 cm3 and 12.2 ± 0.54 Gy, respectively with a mean radiological follow-up of 45.5 ± 38.9 months. Ninety percent of the patients had stable, or improvement in, facial nerve function. The authors demonstrate that the anatomical segment of the facial nerve involved predicted treatment success. Patients who had involvement of the labyrinthine segment of the facial nerve were significantly more likely to have an improvement in facial nerve function after SRS. The adverse effects of SRS included worsening of hearing, facial twitching, facial numbness, and dizziness. The authors conclude that SRS is effective for treating facial nerve schwannoma and should be considered amongst primary treatment options for large or growing tumours with good facial nerve function.

Effect of Anatomic Segment Involvement on Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Facial Nerve Schwannomas: An International Multicenter Cohort Study.
Mehta GU, Lekovic GP, Slattery WH, et al.
NEUROSURGERY
2021:88(1):E91-8.