Microsurgical Management of Large Acoustic Neuroma

Objective To evaluate the diagnosis of the large acousticneuroma,microsurgical resection via a suboccipital retrosigmoid approach and prognosis.Methods A retrospective analysis of 45 patients with large acoustic neuroma was performed,and they were treated via suboccipital retrosigmoid approach.Results Total tumor removal was achieved in 40cases(88.9%) and subtota1 tumor removal in 5cases(11.1%).The facial nerve was preserved anatomically in 39cases(86.7%) of the patients.Facial nerve function were obtained in 32cases(71.1%) by the time of follow-up assessment one year later.Conclusion Using of the microsurgical techniques for removing large acoustic neuromas results in good anatomical and functional preservation of the facial nerve,with minimum incidence of morbidity and low mortality.