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Diagnostic delays in vestibular schwannoma

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 June 2008

H Teppo ,
J Heikkinen ,
K Laitakari  and
O-P Alho
H Teppo*
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Kanta-Häme Central Hospital, Hämeenlinna, Finland
J Heikkinen
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Oulu University Hospital, Finland
K Laitakari
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Oulu University Hospital, Finland
O-P Alho
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Oulu University Hospital, Finland
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Heikki Teppo, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Kanta-Häme Central Hospital, FIN-13530 Hämeenlinna, Finland. Fax: +358 3 6292933 E-mail: heikki.teppo@khshp.fi
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Abstract

Objectives:

The literature on delays in vestibular schwannoma diagnosis is from the era before the routine use of magnetic resonance imaging. We evaluated such diagnostic delays and their impact on tumour size and on pre- and post-treatment morbidity, in a relatively recent patient series.

Study design:

Retrospective review.

Methods:

A two-centre study was conducted, including 91 consecutive vestibular schwannoma patients diagnosed between 1992 and 2006. Data on the presenting symptom and the initial medical visit were obtained from primary care records completed at the time of the initial visit; data on the tumour and the clinical course were obtained from review of the hospital chart. Data on diagnostic delays were available for 59 patients.

Results:

The median patient, professional and total diagnostic delays were three, four and 14 months, respectively. Unilateral hearing loss as the presenting symptom predicted an lengthened total diagnostic delay. Diagnostic delay had no impact on the tumour size at time of diagnosis or on the pre- and post-treatment morbidity.

Conclusions:

Delays in the diagnosis of vestibular schwannoma have shortened since the introduction of magnetic resonance imaging. Longer diagnostic delays do not seem to have significant consequences.

Keywords

Acoustic NeuromaMagnetic Resonance ImagingDiagnosis
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 123 , Issue 3 , March 2009 , pp. 289 - 293
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2008

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