Tumor-associated hemorrhage in patients with acoustic neuroma.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the clinical significance of tumor-associated hemorrhage in patients with acoustic neuromas.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective chart review.

SETTING

University-based, tertiary care teaching hospital.

PATIENTS

Three patients with acoustic neuromas who experienced symptomatic tumoral bleeding.

INTERVENTIONS

Radiographic imaging, surgical removal of tumors, and pathologic analysis.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Patient histories, radiologic characteristics, surgical results, and pathologic findings.

RESULTS

Tumoral hemorrhage can occur in patients with acoustic neuromas. These three cases and a review of the world literature suggest that tumor size may be the most important risk factor for tumor-related hemorrhage.

CONCLUSION

These findings have implications for those patients with acoustic neuromas who choose not to have surgical removal.