Assessment of dysequilibrium after acoustic neuroma removal.

OBJECTIVE: Published data evaluating the rate of dysequilibrium after acoustic neuroma removal are inconsistent. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the incidence and severity of dysequilibrium and quality of life 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 Handicap Inventory (DHI), the UCLA Dizziness Questionnaire (UCLA-DQ), and the Health 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 studied. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Correlation of dysequilibrium with age, gender, and tumor size was measured. Survey analysis including DHI, UCLA-DQ, and HSQ scores. Results: Sixty-five percent of patients reported persistent dysequilibrium after surgery. A majority of those with dysequilibrium had DHI, UCLA-DQ, and HSQ scores that suggested minimal impact on the quality of life. The HSQ scores were statistically significantly poorer for the patients with dysequilibrium than for those without dysequilibrium. CONCLUSIONS: Sixty-five percent of patients reported dysequilibrium after acoustic neuroma removal. The quality-of-life impact was mild.