eMedicine Specialties > Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery > Skull Base

Skull Base, Tumors, Other CPA Tumors: Follow-up

Author: Jack A Shohet, MD, Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California Irvine; Otolaryngologist, Shohet Ear Associates Medical Group, Inc
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Feb 12, 2009

Outcome and Prognosis

The outcome and prognosis for cure from surgical resection depends on the histology, size, and location of the tumor and the approach chosen. Cessation of tumor growth from primary radiation also depends on the specific factors listed above. Expected facial palsy rates are high for primary facial schwannomas. The effect on quality of life from facial nerve palsy is quite significant. Results also depend on the experience and skills of the surgeon.

Future and Controversies

Further advances in surgical techniques and radiotherapy are being made. Endoscopic surgical techniques in the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) have improved visualization of the tumor and adjacent structures. Stereotactic methods have improved accuracy of the delivery of microsurgical dissection and radiation therapy, thus minimizing damage to adjacent tissue. New radiation delivery protocols, although incompletely followed up, show some promise as primary or adjuvant therapy of some of these lesions.

 


More on Skull Base, Tumors, Other CPA Tumors

Overview: Skull Base, Tumors, Other CPA Tumors
Workup: Skull Base, Tumors, Other CPA Tumors
Treatment: Skull Base, Tumors, Other CPA Tumors
Follow-up: Skull Base, Tumors, Other CPA Tumors
References

References

  1. Haberkamp TJ, Monsell EM, House WF, Levine SC, Piazza L. Diagnosis and treatment of arachnoid cysts of the posterior fossa. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. Oct 1990;103(4):610-4. [Medline].

  2. Langman AW, Jackler RK, Althaus SR. Meningioma of the internal auditory canal. Am J Otol. May 1990;11(3):201-4. [Medline].

  3. Lo WM. Tumors of the temporal bone and cerebellopontine angle. In: Som PM, Bergeron RT, eds. Head and Neck Imaging. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 1991.

  4. McElveen JT, Saunders JE. Tumors of the cerebellopontine angle: neuro-otologic aspects of diagnosis. In: Wilkins RH, Rengachary SS, eds. Neurosurgery. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 1996:1038-1048.

  5. Nadol JB. Cerebellopontine angle tumors. In: Nadol JB, Schuknecht, HF, eds. Surgery of the Ear and Temporal Bone. New York, NY: Raven Press; 1993:391-413.

Further Reading

Keywords

skull base tumors, skull tumors, CPA tumors, cerebellopontine angle tumors, intracranial tumors, posterior fossa neoplasms, lateral skull base neoplasms, nonacoustic cerebellopontine angle tumors, non-acoustic CPA tumors, vestibular schwannomas, acoustic neuromas, lipomas, vascular malformations, hemangiomas, meningiomas, epidermoids, cholesteatomas, facial schwannomas, lower cranial nerve schwannomas

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Jack A Shohet, MD, Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California Irvine; Otolaryngologist, Shohet Ear Associates Medical Group, Inc
Jack A Shohet, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Medical Association, American Neurotology Society, American Tinnitus Association, and California Medical Association
Disclosure: Envoy Medical Consulting fee Consulting

Medical Editor

Douglas D Backous, MD, Director of Listen for Life Center, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Virginia Mason Medical Center
Douglas D Backous, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Auditory Society, American College of Surgeons, American Laryngological Rhinological and Otological Society, American Medical Association, Association for Research in Otolaryngology, North American Skull Base Society, Society for Neuroscience, and Washington State Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Gerard J Gianoli, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine; Vice President, The Ear and Balance Institute; Chief Executive Officer, Ponchartrain Surgery Center
Gerard J Gianoli, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American College of Surgeons, American Neurotology Society, American Otological Society, Society of University Otolaryngologists-Head and Neck Surgeons, and Triological Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Christopher L Slack, MD, Otolaryngology-Facial Plastic Surgery, Private Practice, Associated Coastal ENT; Medical Director, Treasure Coast Sleep Disorders
Christopher L Slack, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and American Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA, Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine
Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and American Head and Neck Society
Disclosure: Covidien Corp Consulting fee Consulting; US Tobacco Corporation unstricted gift unknown

 
 
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