What is the effect of translabyrinthine acoustic schwannoma removal upon tinnitus?

Abstract

A series of 129 patients who had undergone translabyrinthine removal of a unilateral acoustic schwannoma completed a postal questionnaire about pre- and post-operative tinnitus. A simple grading system was devised from which it was possible to determine the likely outcome of translabyrinthine acoustic schwannoma surgery upon tinnitus. The results have been analyzed in detail, and as a result it is possible to advise a patient undergoing this form of surgery that if they have no tinnitus pre-operatively they are unlikely to develop it, and if they do it will not be severe enough to significantly affect their quality of life. If they have mild or moderate tinnitus it is most likely to stay the same, or become less intense. If a patient has severe tinnitus it is very likely to improve and not affect their future quality of life.