Prospective Assessment of Peripheral-vestibular Function After Skull Base Surgery

Due to its localization in the cerebello-pontine angle, the vestibulo-cochlear nerve is at risk to damage during surgery performed nearby, e.g. when removing an epidermoid cyst, treating a neuro-vascular conflict of the trigeminal nerve or resecting a petroclival meningeoma. Intense vertigo and dizziness accompanied by spontaneous nystagmus following Alexander's law, nausea and gait imbalance may be noted in these patients along with cochlear hypofunction (hearing loss). In most cases, peripheral-cochleovestibular hypofunction recovers over the following weeks as the mechanism of damage is rather demyelination than axonal damage. The rate, intensity and extent of recovery of such perioperative peripheral-vestibular damage is not known. Besides peripheral-vestibular hypofunction, transient cerebellar hypofunction may arise, presenting with similar complaints (vertigo, nausea, gait imbalance), however, distinct subtle ocular motor findings.

The aim of this study is to characterize the frequency and pattern of iatrogenic peripheral-vestibular and cochlear hypofunction and to follow-up on the speed and extent of recovery. The investigators hypothesize that peripheral-vestibular and cochlear damage may be observed in a significant fraction of neurosurgical treatments in the posterior fossa including the cerebello-pontine angle. While initially deficits may be major, recovery is expected to be substantial or even complete due to peripheral restoration. As an important differential diagnosis, the investigators will evaluate also for potential (transient) cerebellar loss of function.

In order to quantify peripheral-vestibular function the investigators will use a CE-certified videooculography device to record responses to the head-impulse test before and in the days following elective skull base surgery. the video-head impulse test (vHIT) allows a quantitative video-based assessment of the functional integrity of all semicircular canals (MacDougall et al. 2013). By use of a high-speed video-camera mounted on goggles this test quantifies the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR), which is the fastest human reflex and allows the recognition and visual fixation of objects while head turns or ambulation. This test is used on a routine basis in our clinic and includes brief and fast, but small amplitude head turns (10-15° excursion) in the planes of the different semi-circular canals (SCCs). The SCCs are tested in three pairs in the horizontal, RALP (right anterior, left posterior) and LARP (left anterior, right posterior) plane (Weber et al. 2008). During testing the participant is asked to fixate a visual target straight ahead. Duration of this test: about 15 minutes.