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Yonsei Medical Journal May 2016Many epidemiological studies have investigated environmental risk factors for the development of acoustic neuroma. However, these results are controversial. We conducted... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
Many epidemiological studies have investigated environmental risk factors for the development of acoustic neuroma. However, these results are controversial. We conducted a meta-analysis of case-control studies to identify any potential relationship between history of noise exposure, smoking, allergic diseases, and risk of acoustic neuroma.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We searched PubMed to identify relevant articles. Two researchers evaluated the eligibility and extracted the data independently.
RESULTS
Eleven case-control studies were included in our meta-analysis. Acoustic neuroma was found to be associated with leisure noise exposure [odds ratio (OR)=1.33, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05-1.68], but not with occupational noise exposure and ever noise exposure (OR=1.20, 95% CI: 0.84-1.72 and OR=1.15, 95% CI: 0.80-1.65). The OR of acoustic neuroma for ever (versus never) smoking was 0.53 (95% CI: 0.30-0.94), while the subgroup analysis indicated ORs of 0.95 (95% CI: 0.81-1.10) and 0.49 (95% CI: 0.41-0.59) for ex-smoker and current smoker respectively. The ORs for asthma, eczema, and seasonal rhinitis were 0.98 (95% CI: 0.80-1.18), 0.91 (95% CI: 0.76-1.09), and 1.52 (95% CI: 0.90-2.54), respectively.
CONCLUSION
Our meta-analysis is suggestive of an elevated risk of acoustic neuroma among individuals who were ever exposed to leisure noise, but not to occupational noise. Our study also indicated a lower acoustic neuroma risk among ever and current cigarette smokers than never smokers, while there was no significant relationship for ex-smokers. No significant associations were found between acoustic neuroma and history of any allergic diseases, such as asthma, eczema, and seasonal rhinitis.
Topics: Adult; Asthma; Environmental Exposure; Female; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Leisure Activities; Neuroma, Acoustic; Noise; Occupational Exposure; Risk Factors; Smoking
PubMed: 26996581
DOI: 10.3349/ymj.2016.57.3.776 -
Health Technology Assessment... Mar 2009To evaluate the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a range of diagnostic strategies for investigating patients with unilateral hearing loss and/or... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE(S)
To evaluate the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a range of diagnostic strategies for investigating patients with unilateral hearing loss and/or tinnitus, with a view to confirming or eliminating a diagnosis of acoustic neuroma, and to describe the natural history of acoustic neuroma.
DATA SOURCES
Major electronic databases were searched from January 1980 to August 2008.
REVIEW METHODS
Selected studies were assessed and subjected to data extraction and quality assessment using standard methods.
RESULTS
Studies comparing auditory brainstem response (ABR) with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging were highly heterogeneous. ABR has high sensitivity compared with MR imaging for acoustic neuromas greater than 1 cm in size but not for smaller neuromas. The sensitivities of T2-weighted (T2W) and T2-star-weighted (T2*W) imaging strategies compared with gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted (GdT1W) MR imaging (gold standard) were high and relatively homogeneous. The specificity of T2W and T2*W studies ranged from 90% to 100% and from 86% to 99% respectively. The review of cost-effectiveness showed that GdT1W MR imaging immediately or in conjunction with ABR appears to be more cost-effective than 'traditional' protocols; ABR/GdT1W MR imaging protocols were more cost-effective than going directly to GdT1W MR imaging. Non-contrast-enhanced MR imaging was found to be a more cost-effective test for acoustic neuroma than GdT1W MR imaging. The incidence of acoustic neuroma has increased over the last 30 years, with the median age at diagnosis remaining at 55 years. Most patients present with insidious symptoms of unilateral hearing impairment, tinnitus and/or vertigo. The pattern and rate of growth of acoustic neuroma are highly variable and currently unpredictable. At least 50% of tumours do not grow, at least for some years after diagnosis. Some studies have found large initial size to be a determinant of later growth, with the opposite also being reported. The mean growth rate for all tumours varies between 1 and 2 mm/year, with a rate of 2-4 mm/year for only those that grow; however, there are cases with significant regression (5%) or exceptional growth (which may exceed 18 mm/year).
CONCLUSIONS
The majority of the evidence reviewed was poorly reported and there is therefore an inherent risk of bias. Given the recent improvement in resolution and reduction in cost of MR imaging, ABR can no longer be considered appropriate as the primary test used to screen for acoustic neuroma. T2W or T2*W sequences enable accurate evaluation of the VIIIth and VIIth cranial nerves within the cerebellopontine angle and internal auditory canal as well as evaluation of the cochlea and labyrinth, and inclusion of GdT1W sequences is unlikely to contribute information that would alter patient management in the screening population. The quality of the imaging chain and experience of the reporting radiologist are key factors determining the efficacy of a non-contrast screening strategy. Based on a cost-effectiveness model developed to reflect UK practice it was concluded that a diagnostic algorithm that deploys non-contrast MR imaging as an initial imaging screen in the investigation of acoustic neuroma is less costly than and likely to be as effective as available contrast MR imaging.
Topics: Age Distribution; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem; Hearing Tests; Humans; Incidence; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Neuroma, Acoustic; Prevalence; Reproducibility of Results; Technology Assessment, Biomedical
PubMed: 19358774
DOI: 10.3310/hta13180 -
Neurosurgery Jun 2023Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is one of the main treatment options in the management of small to medium size vestibular schwannomas (VSs), because of high tumor... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is one of the main treatment options in the management of small to medium size vestibular schwannomas (VSs), because of high tumor control rate and low cranial nerves morbidity. Series reporting long-term hearing outcome (>3 years) are scarce.
OBJECTIVE
To perform a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis, with the aim of focusing on long-term hearing preservation after SRS.
METHODS
Using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we reviewed articles published between January 1990 and October 2020 and referenced in PubMed or Embase. Inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed clinical study or case series of VSs treated with SRS (single dose), reporting hearing outcome after SRS with a median or mean audiometric follow-up of at least 5 years. Hearing preservation, cranial nerves outcomes, and tumor control were evaluated.
RESULTS
Twenty-three studies were included. Hearing preservation was found in 59.4% of cases (median follow-up 6.7 years, 1409 patients). Main favorable prognostic factors were young age, good hearing status, early treatment after diagnosis, small tumor volume, low marginal irradiation dose, and maximal dose to the cochlea. Tumor control was achieved in 96.1%. Facial nerve deficit and trigeminal neuropathy were found in 1.3% and 3.2% of patients, respectively, both significantly higher in Linear Accelerator series than Gamma Knife series ( P < .05).
CONCLUSION
Long-term hearing preservation remains one of the main issues after SRS, with a major impact on health-related quality of life. Our meta-analysis suggests that hearing preservation can be achieved in almost 60% of patients after a median follow-up of 6.7 years, irrespective of the technique.
Topics: Humans; Neuroma, Acoustic; Radiosurgery; Treatment Outcome; Quality of Life; Hearing; Follow-Up Studies; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 36735500
DOI: 10.1227/neu.0000000000002354 -
GeoHealth Jun 2023Noise is a common harmful factor in our work and the environment. Most studies have investigated the auditory effects of noise exposure; however, few studies have... (Review)
Review
Noise is a common harmful factor in our work and the environment. Most studies have investigated the auditory effects of noise exposure; however, few studies have focused on the extra-auditory effects of exposure to occupational or environmental noise. This study aimed to systematically review published studies on the extra-auditory effects of noise exposure. We reviewed literature from PubMed and Google Scholar databases up to July 2022, using the Patient, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome criteria and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines to identify studies that reported extra-auditory effects of occupational or environmental noise exposure. Studies were evaluated utilizing validated reporting tools (CONSORT, STROBE) appropriate to study design. A total of 263 articles were identified, of which 36 were finally selected and reviewed. Upon conducting a review of the articles, exposure to noise can elicit a variety of extra-auditory effects on humans. These effects include circulatory effects linked to higher risk of cardiovascular disease and decreased endothelial function, nervous system effects correlated with sleep disturbance, cognitive impairment, and mental health problems, immunological and endocrinal effects connected to increased physiological stress response and metabolic disorders, oncological and respiratory effects associated with an elevated risk of acoustic neuroma and respiratory disorders, gastrointestinal effects linked to an increased risk of gastric or duodenal ulcer, and obstetric effects connected to the risk of preterm birth. Our review suggests that there are numerous extra-auditory effects of noise exposure on human, and further investigations are needed to fully understand these effects.
PubMed: 37303697
DOI: 10.1029/2023GH000805 -
Asian Journal of Neurosurgery 2017This systematic review wasdesigned to compare the complications of acoustic neuroma surgery via the suboccipital retrosigmoid approach in the sitting versus lateral... (Review)
Review
This systematic review wasdesigned to compare the complications of acoustic neuroma surgery via the suboccipital retrosigmoid approach in the sitting versus lateral positions. Searches for randomized trials and observational studies about the complications of acoustic neuroma surgery were performed in five medical databases (though October 2015) including PubMed, MEDLINE (In-Process and Other Non-Indexed Citations), EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and PsycINFO. Primary outcomes in this study were venous air emboli, neuropsychological defects, CSF leak, facial and abducens nerves palsy, postoperative deafness, hydrocephalus and mortality. Secondary outcomes were total tumor removal, facial and cochlear nerves preservation and ataxia. 843 abstracts and titles were reviewed and 10 studies (two non-randomized comparative studies and 8 non-comparative case series) were included for data extraction. Because of the heterogeneity of the studies, small number of participants and methodological shortcomings, findings were evaluated qualitatively. No impressive advantage was found in surgical or neurological outcomes for use of the sitting or lateral positions in patients with acoustic neuroma surgery. According to the available evidence, it seems that both sitting and lateral positions can be used with an equivalent safety for acoustic neuroma surgery via the retrosigmoid suboccipital approach. There seems a clear need for comparative studies to compare harms and other outcomes for these two positions.
PubMed: 28761510
DOI: 10.4103/1793-5482.185069 -
Neurosurgical Review Jul 2023Proton beam therapy is considered, by some authors, as having the advantage of delivering dose distributions more conformal to target compared with stereotactic... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
Proton beam therapy is considered, by some authors, as having the advantage of delivering dose distributions more conformal to target compared with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). Here, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of proton beam for VSs, evaluating tumor control and cranial nerve preservation rates, particularly with regard to facial and hearing preservation.
METHODS
We reviewed, using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) articles published between 1968 and September 30, 2022. We retained 8 studies reporting 587 patients.
RESULTS
Overall rate of tumor control (both stability and decrease in volume) was 95.4% (range 93.5-97.2%, p heterogeneity= 0.77, p<0.001). Overall rate of tumor progression was 4.6% (range 2.8-6.5%, p heterogeneity < 0.77, p<0.001). Overall rate of trigeminal nerve preservation (absence of numbness) was 95.6% (range 93.5-97.7%, I = 11.44%, p heterogeneity= 0.34, p<0.001). Overall rate of facial nerve preservation was 93.7% (range 89.6-97.7%, I = 76.27%, p heterogeneity<0.001, p<0.001). Overall rate of hearing preservation was 40.6% (range 29.4-51.8%, I = 43.36%, p heterogeneity= 0.1, p<0.001).
CONCLUSION
Proton beam therapy for VSs achieves high tumor control rates, as high as 95.4%. Facial rate preservation overall rates are 93%, which is lower compared to the most SRS series. Compared with most currently reported SRS techniques, proton beam radiation therapy for VSs does not offer an advantage for facial and hearing preservation compared to most of the currently reported SRS series.
Topics: Humans; Neuroma, Acoustic; Proton Therapy; Hearing; Cranial Nerves; Facial Nerve; Radiosurgery; Treatment Outcome; Follow-Up Studies; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 37402894
DOI: 10.1007/s10143-023-02060-x -
Journal of Personalized Medicine Sep 2022Management of vestibular schwannoma (VS) is a complex process aimed at identifying a clinical indication for fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (sRT) or... (Review)
Review
Management of vestibular schwannoma (VS) is a complex process aimed at identifying a clinical indication for fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (sRT) or microsurgical resection or wait and scan (WS). The aim of the review was to clarify which patient and tumor parameters may lead to different therapeutic choices, with a view to a personalized VS approach. A systematic review according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis criteria was conducted between February and March 2022. The authors defined six parameters that seemed to influence decision-making in VS management: 1-incidental VS; 2-tumor size; 3-tumor regrowth after sRT; 4-subtotal resection; 5-patients' age; 6-symptoms. The initial search yielded 3532 articles, and finally, 812 articles were included. Through a qualitative synthesis of the included studies, management strategies were evaluated and discussed. An individualized proposal of procedures is preferable as compared to a single gold-standard approach in VS decision-making. The most significant factors that need to be considered when dealing with a VS diagnosis are age, tumor size and hearing preservation issues.
PubMed: 36294756
DOI: 10.3390/jpm12101616 -
Journal of Neurological Surgery. Part... Dec 2021Ipsilateral cochlear implantation (CI) in vestibular schwannoma (VS) has been an emerging trend over the last two decades. We conducted the first systematic review...
Ipsilateral cochlear implantation (CI) in vestibular schwannoma (VS) has been an emerging trend over the last two decades. We conducted the first systematic review of hearing outcomes comparing neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) and sporadic VS undergoing CI. A comparison of the two populations and predictor of outcome was assessed. This is an update to a previously presented study. Systemic data searches were performed in PubMed NCBI and Scopus by an academic librarian. No restrictions based on the year of publication were used. Studies were selected if patients had a diagnosis of NF2 and a CI placed in the affected side with reports of hearing outcome. Two independent reviewers screened each abstract and full-text article. Studies were extracted at the patient level, and the assessment of quality and bias was evaluated according to the National Institutes of Health Quality Assessment Tool. Outcome predictors were determined by using the chi-square test and Student's -test. Overall, most CI recipients functioned in the high-to-intermediate performer category for both sporadic and NF2-related VS. Median AzBio (Arizona Biomedical Institute Sentence Test) was 72% (interquartile range [IQR]: 50) in NF2 patients and 70% (IQR: 7.25) in sporadic patients. Larger tumor size predicted a poorer final audiometric outcome. Categorization of hearing outcome into superior performance and inferior performance based on sentence recognition revealed a generally good hearing outcome regardless of treatment or patient population. Select patients with sporadic and NF2 VS may benefit from CI.
PubMed: 34745832
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1715606 -
International Journal of Molecular... Mar 2023Although diagnosis and treatment of vestibular schwannomas (VSs) improved in recent years, no factors have yet been identified as being capable of predicting tumor...
Although diagnosis and treatment of vestibular schwannomas (VSs) improved in recent years, no factors have yet been identified as being capable of predicting tumor growth. Molecular rearrangements occur in neoplasms before any macroscopic morphological changes become visible, and the former are the underlying cause of disease behavior. Tumor microenvironment (TME) encompasses cellular and non-cellular elements interacting together, resulting in a complex and dynamic key of tumorigenesis, drug response, and treatment outcome. The aim of this systematic, narrative review was to assess the level of knowledge on TME implicated in the biology, behavior, and prognosis of sporadic VSs. A search (updated to November 2022) was run in Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science electronic databases according to the PRISMA guidelines, retrieving 624 titles. After full-text evaluation and application of inclusion/exclusion criteria, 37 articles were included. VS microenvironment is determined by the interplay of a dynamic ecosystem of stromal and immune cells which produce and remodel extracellular matrix, vascular networks, and promote tumor growth. However, evidence is still conflicting. Further studies will enhance our understanding of VS biology by investigating TME-related biomarkers able to predict tumor growth and recognize immunological and molecular factors that could be potential therapeutic targets for medical treatment.
Topics: Humans; Ecosystem; Neuroma, Acoustic; Treatment Outcome; Tumor Burden; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 37047498
DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076522 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Dec 2014Vestibular schwannomas (acoustic neuromas) are common benign tumours that arise from the Schwann cells of the vestibular nerve. Management options include observation... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Vestibular schwannomas (acoustic neuromas) are common benign tumours that arise from the Schwann cells of the vestibular nerve. Management options include observation with neuroradiological follow-up, microsurgical resection and stereotactic radiotherapy.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effect of stereotactic radiotherapy compared to observation, microsurgical resection, any other treatment modality, or a combination of two or more of the above approaches for vestibular schwannoma.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials; PubMed; EMBASE; CINAHL; Web of Science; CAB Abstracts; ISRCTN and additional sources for published and unpublished trials. The date of the search was 24 July 2014.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) exploring the efficacy of stereotactic radiotherapy compared with observation alone, microsurgical resection or any other possible treatment or combination of treatments in patients with a cerebellopontine angle tumour up to 3 cm in diameter, presumed to be a vestibular schwannoma.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We used the standard methodological procedures expected by The Cochrane Collaboration.
MAIN RESULTS
No studies met the inclusion criteria for this review.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
There is no high quality evidence in the literature from RCTs to determine whether stereotactic radiotherapy is better than microsurgical resection or observation alone for patients with a vestibular schwannoma. In the absence of such evidence, the treatment method should be chosen on an individual basis, taking into consideration the patient's preferences, clinician experience and the availability of radiotherapeutic equipment. With the growing availability of radiotherapeutic equipment, randomised controlled trials should be undertaken to evaluate the role of stereotactic radiotherapy in comparison with other treatment options.
Topics: Humans; Neuroma, Acoustic; Radiosurgery
PubMed: 25511415
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD009897.pub2