Acoustic neuroma (vestibular schwannoma). Treatment from a neurosurgical perspective

During the last century microsurgical approaches laid emphasis in descending order on preservation of life, total tumor excision and function. Today, the priority of microsurgery has changed to functional preservation. The management of vestibular schwannomas consists of observation, surgical resection, or radiation therapy. In recent years, there has been an increase in observation-only management for small tumors, or radiotherapy in the case of tumor progression. The number of surgical procedures is in decline, with surgery being reserved mainly for large tumors.