REGROWTH OF THE RESIDUAL TUMOR AFTER ACOUSTIC NEURINOMA SURGERY

Ideally, acoustic neurinomas should be completely removed without neur ological deficit. In some cases, however, removal is subtotal in order to preserve anatomical continuity of the facial nerve. In this report we discuss the regrowth of residual tumour in these patients and the difference between regrowing and dormant tumours. Eight of 81 patients with acoustic neurinomas where the facial nerve was anatomically pres erved leaving tumour overlying it were investigated and followed-up. O nly one case with residual tumour along the 7th nerve from the intrame atal portion to its entry to the brainstem showed regrowth 3.5 years a fter the operation. In the other seven cases with residual tumour alon g the nerve from the porus to the brainstem, the tumour remained dorma nt during a follow-up period of 4.5-8.5 years. Removal of tumour in th e internal auditory meatus may make regrowth unlikely.