%0 Journal Article
%T Tumor shape as a prognostic factor for the growth of intracanalicular vestibular schwannoma: a long-term observational study.
%A Lee SA
%A Lee JH
%A Hong HS
%A Lee JD
%J Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol
%V 281
%N 8
%D 2024 Aug 18
%M 38498190
%F 3.236
%R 10.1007/s00405-024-08540-0
%X <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>To evaluate the predictive factors of tumor growth in patients with vestibular schwannoma (VS) managed with the wait-and-scan approach.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>The data of 31 patients diagnosed with intracanalicular VS and followed for > 5 years were retrospectively analyzed. VS was diagnosed according to MRI findings and tumor growth was monitored. Tumor growth was defined as an increase of 2 mm or more in the maximal tumor diameter. The association between the initial tumor size and shape and tumor growth was assessed.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Tumor growth was observed in 16 of 31 patients (51.6%) over a mean follow-up duration of 7.3 years. The initial tumor size was not statistically correlated with tumor growth. However, fusiform or cylindrical tumors exhibited higher growth rates than oval or round tumors. Additionally, a significant correlation was observed between cerebellopontine angle extension and tumor shape.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>In this study, 51.6% of the patients with intracanalicular VS who were managed with the wait-and-scan strategy over a follow-up period of > 5 years showed tumor growth. Tumor shape, especially fusiform or cylindrical shape, was found to be a significant predictor of tumor growth.