Residual and Recurrent Acoustic Neuroma in Hearing Preservation Procedures: Neuroradiologic and Surgical Findings

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Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium DTPA is currently the most accurate method for detecting small intracanalicular yestibular schwannomas. This imaging modality is not nearly as clear in diagnosis of a small residual or recurrent neuroma after a hearing preservation procedure. This study looked for gadolinium-enhanced MRI images mimicking recurrent lesions in 104 consecutive cases of unilateral acoustic neuroma removed with a hearing preservation technique by the retrosigmoid transmeatal approach. A number of cases with enhancing MRI images in the internal anditory canal were reoperated, permitting the histologic examination of the enhancing tissue. Criteria for the MRI diagnosis of residual-recurrent acoustic neuroma are presented, along with the short-to mid-term rate of "residual-recurrent" tumor.