Long-Term Study Evaluating Balance and Vestibular Function After Gammaknife Radiosurgery in Patients with Vestibular Schwannoma

What this Trial Is About

Vestibular schwannomas are benign tumors located in a sensitive area near the brainstem and cerebellum. They can cause problems due to their growth in a tight space. This trial studies the effects of stereotactic Gammaknife radiosurgery, a treatment option for growing vestibular schwannomas smaller than 2.5-3 cm. While this treatment stabilizes tumors in most cases with low risk of facial nerve damage, its effects on hearing preservation and balance are unclear and vary in previous studies. This study aims to better understand these effects by assessing vestibular function and balance. Participants will undergo Gammaknife radiosurgery and complete balance and hearing questionnaires before treatment, then again one year and three years after treatment. The study focuses on measuring changes in perceived balance quality using the French version of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory DHI at these time points. This approach allows comparison of patient condition before and after radiosurgery over a long-term follow-up. During the study, patients will be assessed through questionnaires evaluating balance and hearing at baseline, one year, and three years after radiosurgery. These assessments help researchers measure changes in vestibular function and quality of life related to balance. The research is sponsored by the University Hospital in Toulouse and will follow participants for up to three years to observe long-term outcomes of this treatment.

Evolution of Balance and Vestibular Function in Patients Treated With Gammaknife Radiosurgery for Vestibular Schwannoma