Schwannomas vestibulares bilaterales y neurofibromatosis tipo 2, reporte de 2 casos

Abstract

Vestibular schwannomas (VS) are benign tumors of Schwann cells, VS account for nearly 6% of intracranial tumors, are more than 95% unilateral. Bilateral vestibular schwannomas on the eighth cranial nerve are rare and is diagnosis of Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), it is caused by a mutation on chromosome 22; Bilateral VS is the most common and well recognized feature of NF2 leading to significant morbidity. In comparison to patients with unilateral VS, those with bilateral VS are younger, have larger lesions, poorer preop-erative hearing and greater chances of losing either auditory or facial nerve function during attempted total resection of the tumor. The average age of diagnosis of NF2 is 25 years; however, many patients present with symptoms before the diagnosis, symptoms, such as tinnitus, gradual hearing loss, and even vestibular dysfunction, are frequently the initial signs of NF2. Untreated VSs can extend locally and may result in brainstem compression, hydrocephalus, and occasionally, facial nerve palsy. The authors report on 2 patients with bilateral vestibular schwannomas (VSs) who underwent unilateral surgical tumor removal.