Vestibular Schwannomas presenting with haemorrhage: Clinical presentation and histopathological evaluation of an unusual entity

Abstract

Gross intratumoral haemorrhage is rare in vestibular schwannomas. The authors describe the clinical features of this entity in 6 patients, the histopathologic findings in 5 of them, and discuss possible factors predisposing to haemorrhage in these tumors. Detailed radiological and histopathological evaluation identified two factors which may be associated with higher likelihood of haemorrhage, namely preoperative radiation therapy and vascular abnormalities. Tumor size may not be a major risk factor for haemorrhage. Good outcomes can be achieved with microsurgical management. The histological features presented here differ clearly from findings in previously published case reports.

Key words:

• Acoustic neurinoma
• haemorrhage
• presentation
• vestibular Schwannoma