Imaging Findings Post Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Vestibular Schwannoma: A Primer for the Radiologist

ABSTRACT

Non-invasive tumor control of vestibular schwannomas through stereotactic radiosurgery allows for high rates of long-term tumor control and has been used primarily for small and medium-sized vestibular schwannomas. The post-treatment imaging appearance of the tumor, temporal patterns of growth and treatment response, as well as extra-tumoral complications can often be both subtle or confusing and should be appropriately recognized. Herein, the authors present an imaging-based review of expected changes, as well as associated complications related to radiosurgery for vestibular schwannomas.

ABBREVIATIONS: FSRT: Fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy, ISRS: international stereotactic radiosurgery, MPNST: Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, SRS: Stereotactic radiosurgery, VS: Vestibular schwannoma.