Balance impairment after acoustic neuroma surgery.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of balance problems after acoustic neuroma surgery, evaluating whether disequilibrium is disabling.

STUDY

DESIGN

Retrospective observational study.

SETTING

Rehabilitation center.

PATIENTS: A group of 386 patients who underwent acoustic neuroma surgery.

INTERVENTIONS: Patients were selected from a population of 459 subjects who had undergone surgery for acoustic neuroma.

MEAN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Dizziness Handicap Inventory, The Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC), and a specific questionnaire on oscillopsia.

RESULTS

The specific questionnaire emphasized that 39 patients (10.10%) perceived disequilibrium as disabling, and the oscillopsia handicap score result was moderate in 73.32% of the sample, mild in 21.50%, and severe in 5.18% of patients. The Dizziness Handicap Inventory and ABC scales revealed the presence of handicap and disability due to disequilibrium and the influence of some variables such as sex and a higher oscillopsia handicap score. Dizziness Handicap Inventory and ABC scores were higher in symptomatic patients.

CONCLUSION

Disequilibrium influences handicap and disability after acoustic neuroma surgery. This symptom is also present after several years since surgery, and some patients perceived disequilibrium as disabling.