VESTIBULAR SCHWANNOMA. Pathophysiology, Diagnosis and Treatment

Vestibular schwannoma is a rare benign tumor arising from VIII cranial nerve. Its localisation into internal auditory canal and cerebellopontine angle is the main reason for the relevant clinical implication of such disease. This book develops all the features regarding the vestibular schwannoma, starting from the biology of the tumor, passing to the clinical presentation and instrumental diagnostic pathway to make diagnosis and concluding with therapeutic options linked to several factors regarding tumor size, localisation, symptoms, patient characteristics and outcome. The chapters are divided into 3 sections: pathophysiology, clinical features and treatment. Advancements in microsurgical technique and radiosurgery, coupled with an increased understanding of the natural history of the disease, have made modern management of this tumor considerably more complex and the opinions are still divided between conservatism and definitive cure. The last section includes the rehabilitation after treatment of patients affected by vestibular schwannoma.