Objective: To assess the risk recall of complications among patients who underwent different vestibular schwannoma (VS) treatments.
Study design: Patients with VS completed a voluntary and anonymous survey.
Setting: Survey links were distributed via the Acoustic Neuroma Association (ANA) website, Facebook, and email list.
Subjects and methods: Surveys were distributed to ANA members from January to March 2017. Of the 3200 ANA members with a VS diagnosis at the time of survey distribution, 789 (25%) completed the survey.
Results: Subjects reported the following incidence of posttreatment complications: imbalance (60%), hearing issues (51%), dry eyes (30%), headache (29%), and facial weakness (27%). Overall, 188 (25%) recalled remembering all the risks associated with their treatment. Among those in the surgical cohort (52%) who experienced balance issues, facial weakness, cerebrospinal fluid leak, meningitis, and stroke, 73%, 91%, 77%, 67%, and 33% claimed recall of these associated risks. Among those in the radiosurgery cohort (28%) who experienced balance issues, facial weakness, and hydrocephalus, 56%, 52%, and 60% recalled discussions of those risks. Patients with higher-level education (P = .026) and those who underwent surgery (P = .001) had a significantly higher risk recall ratio, while sex, age, and tumor size were not significant contributing factors.
Conclusion: Not all patients with VS who experienced treatment complications recalled remembering those risks being discussed with them. Patients with higher education and those who underwent surgery had a better recall of risks associated with different treatment modalities. The risk recall ratio of patients experiencing complications ranged 33% to 91%, suggesting an opportunity for decision-making and discussion improvement.
Keywords: acoustic neuroma; complications; risk recall; treatment modality; vestibular schwannoma.