How to radiologically identify a spontaneous regression of sporadic vestibular schwannoma?

Background The natural history of sporadic vestibular schwannoma is unpredictable, with tumors growing, non-growing and even showing spontaneous regression in some rare cases. Objective This retrospective study aims to describe the radiologic signs characterizing and identifying the shrinking vestibular schwannoma. Methods Involution was considered to have occurred if tumor size had decreased by 2 mm or more on its largest diameter. All magnetic resonance imaging scans were reviewed for tumor size, internal auditory meatus size, and tumor characteristics. Volumetric measurements were performed on the first and last scan. Audiometric data were collected at the first and last visit. Results Fourteen patients with a confirmed spontaneous regression were included, with a mean follow-up of 5 +/- 2.6 years. The mean shrinkage rate was 0.9 +/- 0.59 mm/year on 2D measurements, and 0.2 +/- 0.17 cm(3)/year on volumetric measurements, with a relative shrinkage of 40 +/- 16.9%. Two remarkable radiologic features were observed: First, a festooned aspect, defined by multiple curves in the tumor outline, noticed in 12 cases (86%); second, the appearance of cerebrospinal fluid filling the internal auditory meatus, associated with an enlargement of the internal auditory meatus compared to the contralateral side, and observed in 10 out of 13 cases with internal auditory meatus invasion (77%). Those two aspects were associated in 64% of cases. Conclusion These two newly reported radiologic features could help neurosurgeons, oto-neurosurgeons and neuroradiologists to identify a spontaneous vestibular schwannoma involution at first visit. This could allow any treatment to be postponed, monitoring to be more widely spaced, and patients to be reassured.