Acoustic neuroma: a review of 392 cases.

A retrospective study was made of all operations for acoustic tumour over a 40-year period. A total of 392 cases are reported. Trends over time and with the size of the tumour are reported. In the current decade all but two tumours were completely resected, the mortality rate was 1.4%, 94% of patients had a good or excellent result, the facial nerve was preserved in 64% of cases (90% of these with acceptable function) and the cochlear nerve in 13.5% (some with hearing). There is a striking dependence on the size of the tumour of the likely outcome of operation.