Professional overview
for acoustic neuroma
Key takeouts
Although the term acoustic neuroma is often used, vestibular schwannoma is technically more correct.
Tumour control with Gamma Knife treatment has been reported to be between 941 % and 972%.
After Gamma Knife surgery, many acoustic neuromas shrink after three years. (It has been documented that there may be tumour swelling in the first three years after treatment.) Tumours that do not shrink may remain stable ie there is no further growth. Only 2.9 %2 – 4.83% of acoustic neuromas need further treatment after Gamma Knife surgery.
The current medical evidence shows that Gamma Knife radiosurgery is the best practice for single acoustic neuromas that are smaller than 3 cm in diameter4,5
Internationally proven treatment
Numerous studies from around the world show that complications are significantly reduced with Gamma Knife radiosurgery compared to traditional micro surgical approaches6.
Over the years, the radiation dose used in Gamma Knife treatment has decreased and7 the accuracy of the technology has improved. This in turn has improved the safety8 for patients.
New evidence also shows that earlier treatment may protect against hearing loss and have better preservation of facial nerve function9.
Complications reduced with Gamma Knife radiosurgery
Complications reduced with Gamma Knife radiosurgery
Facial nerve impairment (less than 2 % of Gamma Knife-treated patients)
Trigeminal nerve impairment (mild to severe facial pain) (only 1.8 % of Gamma Knife-treated patients)
Vertigo (feeling that one’s head is spinning) and Imbalance (only 1.5 % of Gamma Knife-treated patients)
Tinnitus (ringing in the ear) (only 1.7 % of Gamma Knife-treated patients)
Hydrocephalus (build-up of fluid in the cavities inside the brain) (only 0.85 % of Gamma Knife-treated patients)
Hearing preservation after Gamma Knife-treatment
Gamma knife treatment is associated with the best preservation of functional hearing when compared to microsurgery.
New data suggests that patients who are being observed with the “watch and wait” approach, had better results when they had Gamma Knife treatment earlier.