Vestibular function in the follow-up of patients with Vestibular Schwannoma (FUVES)

Vestibular schwannoma (VS) is a rare, benign tumour arising from the Schwann
cells of the vestibular nerve. It is commonly associated with tinnitus and
sensorineural hearing loss. Moreover, it is a tumour that grows in the
vestibular nerve and thus has the ability to affect the vestibular function.
The majority of patients with a vestibular schwannoma will present with
asymmetric hearing loss and/or vestibular complaints such as balance
disturbance or vertigo. It has been demonstrated that the vestibular symptoms
have a major impact on the quality of life of vestibular schwannoma patients.
It is therefore of paramount clinical importance to evaluate vestibular
function in this patient group and gain insight into the progression of these
symptoms over time, in relation to the vestibular schwannoma management
strategy.
Up to now, no prospective study has been performed evaluating vestibular
function in VS patients. The current study will focus on vestibular function in
relation to vestibular schwannoma management strategies: surgery, radiotherapy,
active surveillance (wait and scan policy), or intratympanic gentamicin
followed by active treatment (surgery or radiotherapy). The variables that will
be studied include dizziness, vertigo, hearing loss, cognitive-psychological
function. The primary aim is to evaluate vestibular function and vestibular
compensation processes over time and in relation to treatment strategy and
patient characteristics.

To evaluate the vestibular function relating results to surgery, radiotherapy,
active surveillance, intratympanic gentamicin, and intratympanic gentamicin
followed by active treatment based on objective vestibular testing and
dizziness related QoL.

Prospective observational single-center cohort study.

The VS patients will be subjected to standard clinical care and diagnostics,
with the exception of objectibe vestibular function assessments.

The vestibular tests used in this study are well-established, not experimental
in themselves, and do not represent risk for the patient. We consider the risk
of participating in this study to be negligible.