Objective: Published data evaluating the rate of dysequilibrium after acous
tic neuroma removal are inconsistent. The purpose of this investigation was
to determine the incidence and severity of dysequilibrium and quality of l
ife in a group of patients after acoustic neuroma surgery.
Study Design: The study design was a retrospective chart review and survey
that included demographic and medical history questions, the Dizziness Hand
icap Inventory (DHI), the UCLA Dizziness Questionnaire (UCLA-DQ), and the H
ealth Status Questionnaire (HSQ).
Setting: The study was conducted in a multispecialty tertiary care clinic.
Patients: Two hundred thirty-seven subjects who underwent initial surgical
removal of an acoustic neuroma between January 1990 and June 1997 were stud
ied.
Main Outcome Measures: Correlation of dysequilibrium with age, gender, and
tumor size was measured. Survey analysis including DHI, UCLA-DQ, and HSQ sc
ores.
Results: Sixty-five percent of patients reported persistent dysequilibrium
after surgery. A majority of those with dysequilibrium had DHI, UCLA-DQ, an
d HSQ scores that suggested minimal impact on the quality of life. The HSQ
scores were statistically significantly poorer for the patients with dysequ
ilibrium than for those without dysequilibrium.
Conclusions: Sixty-five percent of patients reported dysequilibrium after a
coustic neuroma removal. The quality-of-life impact was mild.