2021/10/20 by M B Perera, M. B. Perera, Nazli Janjua +6
Medicine · Neuroscience · #Ear Surgery and Otitis Media #Meningioma and schwannoma management #Vestibular and auditory disorders
paper · doi:10.1017/s0022215121003017
crossref issued 2021/10/20 · crossref published 2021/10/20 · crossref published-online 2021/10/20 · openalex publication_date 2021/10/20 · crossref created 2021/10/20 · crossref deposited 2022/09/27 · crossref published-print 2022/10/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · crossref indexed 2026/07/31 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
OBJECTIVES: Magnetic resonance imaging scans of the internal acoustic meatus are commonly requested in the investigation of audio-vestibular symptoms for potential vestibular schwannoma. There have been multiple studies into protocols for requesting magnetic resonance imaging for vestibular schwannoma, but none have been reported based on UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines for investigating audio-vestibular symptoms. This study intended to identify the local magnetic resonance imaging detection rates and patterns of vestibular schwannoma, and to audit the conformity of scan requests with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines, with a review of relevant literature. METHOD: A retrospective analysis of 1300 magnetic resonance imaging scans of the internal acoustic meatus, compared against National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines, was conducted over two years. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Sixteen scans were positive for vestibular schwannoma, with a detection rate of 1.23 per cent. All positive cases fit the guidelines; three of these could have been missed using other criteria. A total of 281 requests did not meet the guideline criteria but revealed no positive results, supporting the use of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines in planning magnetic resonance imaging scans for audio-vestibular symptoms.