Preoperative Sudden Hearing Loss May Predict Hearing Preservation After Retrosigmoid Resection of Vestibular Schwannoma

Abstract

Objectives: Describe the effect of preoperative sudden hearing loss (SHL) on likelihood of hearing preservation (HP) after surgical resection of vestibular schwannoma (VS).

Study design: Retrospective chart review.

Setting: Tertiary referral center.

Patients: Adult patients (≥18 years) who underwent retrosigmoid VS resection for HP between February 2008 and December 2018 were reviewed. All patients had preoperative word recognition score (WRS) of at least 50%. Similarly, HP was defined as postoperative WRS of more than or equal to 50%. Regression analysis was used to describe the effect of SHL on HP, accounting for tumor size, and preoperative hearing quality.

Interventions: All patients underwent retrosigmoid VS resection for HP.

Main outcome measures: WRS of at least 50%.

Results: Of 160 patients who underwent retrosigmoid VS resection during the study period, 153 met inclusion criteria. Mean tumor size was 14.0 (±6) mm. Hearing was preserved in 41.8% (n = 64). Forty patients (26.1%) had a history of preoperative SHL. Among 138 patients (90.2%) in whom the cochlear nerve was anatomically preserved during surgery, HP was achieved in 61.8% of those with SHL (21 of 34) and 41.3% of those without SHL (43 of 104) (p = 0.0480). On univariate and multivariate analysis (accounting for tumor size and preoperative hearing quality), SHL was a significant positive predictor of HP (odds ratio 2.292, p = 0.0407 and odds ratio 2.778, p = 0.0032, respectively).

Conclusion: In patients with VS and retained serviceable hearing, SHL is an independent predictor of HP after retrosigmoid microsurgical resection when the cochlear nerve is preserved.