Advances in imaging modalities and tumor classification for vestibular schwannomas.

PURPOSE: Vestibular schwannomas are benign tumors of the cerebellopontine angle that may causesignificant neurological morbidity. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) remainsthe diagnostic gold standard; however, recent advances in neuroradiologictechniques have improved lesion characterization and refined surgical planning.This review summarizes contemporary imaging developments and their clinicalrelevance in the management of vestibular schwannomas.

METHODS

A narrative review of the literature over the past two decades was conducted to identifykey radiographic advances and classification systems relevant to vestibularschwannomas.

RESULTS

Recent literature highlights the expanding role of advanced imaging techniques in the evaluationof vestibular schwannomas. High-resolution MRI sequences, diffusion tensorimaging (DTI), and positron emission tomography (PET) have improved assessmentof tumor anatomy. Emerging, imaging-based classification systems and artificialintelligence-assisted analyses will likely further enhance tumorcharacterization and improve preoperative planning and prognostic assessment.

CONCLUSIONS

Advances in neuroradiologic imaging have improved the evaluation and management ofvestibular schwannomas. Integration of advanced MRI techniques, tractography,PET imaging, and emerging artificial intelligence tools provides greaterprecision in tumor characterization, surgical planning, and outcome prediction.