Imaging of the Vestibular Schwannoma: Diagnosis, Monitoring, and Treatment Planning

Abstract

Appropriate imaging strategies for the detection, treatment planning, and posttreatment monitoring of vestibular schwannomas will be discussed. The typical and variant imaging appearances of vestibular schwannomas, as well as the imaging features that should prompt consideration of differential diagnoses, will be illustrated. Understanding the natural history of vestibular schwannomas, optimal measurement and definition of tumour growth helps the radiologist evaluate for the failure of conservative management and requirement for surgery or radiotherapy. In order to determine the success of conservative management, the radiologist is required to understand the natural history of vestibular schwannomas and how tumour growth is defined. Finally, the imaging features which help guide appropriate treatment with surgery or radiotherapy will be highlighted, and the expected posttreatment imaging changes will be described.

Keywords: Cerebellopontine angle tumor; Hearing disorders; Magnetic resonance imaging; Neoplasms; Neurosurgery; Residual tumor; Skull base schwannoma; Vestibular computed tomography.