Minimally invasive endoscopic removal of primary inner ear schwannomas

Abstract

Primary Inner Ear Schwannomas (PIES) are rare benign tumors. Due to their slow growth, they are often missed during initial screening evaluation, and thus diagnosis is often delayed. Careful analysis of history with scrutiny of MRI should help to differentiate them from other pathologies resembling in symptoms. Here, we presented 4 cases diagnosed with PIES and clinical characteristics of them were analyzed. Furthermore, we elaborated a new surgical approach for the treatment of 4 PIES cases, resulting in complete tumor removal with no evidence of recurrence or residual growth on postoperative MRI follow up. No major short- or long-term complications were noted. Our case series emphasizes on treatment of PIES through a Minimal Invasive Endoscopic approach avoiding incisions and mastoid drilling thereby reducing operative time and surgical morbidity.

Keywords

• inner ear
• schwannoma
• transcanal endoscopic microsurgery