Abstract
We studied 10 patients with acoustic neuroma who had been followed conservatively for more than 3 years. There were 3 males and 7 females, ranging from 32 to 82 years old (mean age 62.8 years). The first medical examination demonstrated inner ear tumor, with a diameter less than 10mm in all cases. The tumor diameter increased in 2 cases, diminished in 1 case and remained unchanged in 7 other cases. Chief complaints were hearing difficulty and tinnitus in 8 cases and dizziness in 2 cases. As for the hearing level on the affected side, 2 cases showed severe deafness, 2 cases showed moderate deafness and 6 other cases had mild deafness. Changes in the hearing level by more than 10dB occurred in 4 cases.
Considering the findings of the present study and those reported in the literature, it was thought that decisions regarding treatment policy including conservative management are necessary.
