Suboccipital surgery for acoustic neuroma 
Overview
A suboccipital craniotomy is a surgery performed to remove an acoustic neuroma growing from the nerve responsible for balance and hearing. During surgery, a section of the skull is removed behind the ear to access the tumor and nerves. Acoustic neuromas cause hearing loss, ringing in the ears, and dizziness. The goals of surgery are: first, maintaining facial nerve function; second, preserving socially useful hearing in the affected ear; and third, removing the tumor.
What is suboccipital acoustic neuroma surgery?
A craniotomy is any bony opening cut into the skull. The section of skull, called a bone flap, is removed to access the brain underneath. After the tumor is removed, the bone flap is placed back in its original position and secured with plates and screws.
An acoustic neuroma may be surgically removed by one of three different craniotomies: suboccipital, translabyrinthine, or middle fossa. The choice of a particular craniotomy depends on the tumor size, tumor position, and hearing status. The suboccipital craniotomy (also called retrosigmoid) involves removing a portion of the occipital bone behind the ear to remove the tumor (Fig. 1).
Figure 1. The suboccipital approach involves removing a portion of the bone behind the ear. The cerebellum is gently held back to remove the acoustic neuroma.
Who is a candidate?
You may be a candidate for suboccipital acoustic neuroma surgery if you have:
- A medium or large acoustic neuroma that is causing symptoms, especially balance problems caused by brainstem compression
- Serviceable hearing in the affected ear
- Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF-2)
Who performs the surgery?
A neurosurgeon or neuro-otologist can remove acoustic neuromas. The suboccipital approach is performed by a neurosurgeon. Because each patient and each acoustic neuroma is unique, it is important to seek treatment at a center that offers the full range of options, including surgery, radiation, and hearing rehabilitation.
Preventing or treating deafness in both ears for people with NF-2 requires a team approach. Studies show that tumor size and the surgeon's experience are the factors most influencing facial nerve function and hearing outcome after removal [1].
What happens before surgery?
You will have an office visit with a neurosurgeon, otologic surgeon, and an audiologist before surgery. An audiologist will perform a hearing test and a presurgical assessment of cranial nerve function. During the office visit, the surgeon will explain the procedure, its risks and benefits, and answer any questions. Next, you will sign consent forms and complete paperwork to inform the surgeon about your medical history (i.e., allergies, medicines, vitamins, bleeding history, anesthesia reactions, prior surgeries). Discuss all medications (prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal supplements) you are taking with your healthcare provider. Presurgical tests (e.g., blood test, electrocardiogram, chest X-ray) may need to be done several days before surgery. Consult your primary care physician about stopping certain medications and ensure you are cleared for surgery.
Continue taking the medications your surgeon recommends. Stop taking all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.) and blood thinners (Coumadin, Plavix, aspirin, etc.) 7 days before surgery. Stop using nicotine and drinking alcohol 1 week before and 2 weeks after surgery to avoid bleeding and healing problems.
You may be asked to wash your skin and hair with Hibiclens (CHG) or Dial soap before surgery. It kills bacteria and reduces surgical site infections. (Avoid getting CHG in eyes, ears, nose or genital areas.)
Morning of surgery
- No food, drink, gum or candy.
- Shower using antibacterial soap. Dress in freshly washed, loose-fitting clothing.
- Wear flat-heeled shoes with closed backs.
- If you have instructions to take regular medication the morning of surgery, do so with small sips of water.
- Remove make-up, hairpins, contacts, body piercings, nail polish, etc.
- Leave all valuables and jewelry at home (including wedding bands).
- Bring a list of medications with dosages and the times of day usually taken.
- Bring a list of allergies to medication or foods.
Patients are admitted to the hospital the morning of surgery. The nurse will explain the preoperative process and discuss any questions you may have. An anesthesiologist will talk with you to explain the effects of anesthesia and its risks.
What happens during surgery?
There are 6 steps to the procedure, which generally takes 4-6 hours, depending on the tumor size.
Step 1: prepare the patient
You will lie on the operating table and be given anesthesia. Once asleep, your head is placed in a 3-pin skull-fixation device that attaches to the table and holds your head still during surgery. The hair near the incision area will be shaved and the scalp prepped with an antiseptic. The audiologist will attach electrodes to your face and ear to monitor the facial nerve, hearing, and brainstem functions during surgery.
Step 2: make a skin incision
The lesser and greater occipital nerves innervate the skin on the back of the scalp. These nerves can be cut, stretched or trapped in scar tissue from the incision. Chronic headache and occipital neuralgia (electric-shock pain) may be related to damage of these nerves. A high-arching skin incision crosses the nerves at their end branches and is less likely to cause damage (Fig. 2). The skin and muscles are lifted off the bone and folded back.
Figure 2. A high-arching skin incision is made behind the ear (dashed line) that crosses the occipital nerves at the end branches. This incision also avoids deep dissection of the neck muscles and is less likely to cause postoperative headache compared to a straight incision.
Step 3: perform a craniotomy
A 1.5 inch-wide craniotomy is made in the occipital bone with a drill. The bone flap is removed to expose the protective dura covering of the brain. The dura is opened and folded back to expose the brain. Retractors may be used to gently hold back the brain, allowing the surgeon to see the acoustic neuroma and the nerves (Fig. 3).
Figure 3. A 1.5 inch-wide craniotomy is made in the occipital bone and the bone flap is removed. The cerebellum is gently held back to expose a small tumor and its attachments to the nerve.
Step 4: debulk the tumor
Depending on the size, acoustic neuromas can be attached to the facial nerve, trigeminal nerve, brainstem, and blood vessels. If the tumor is large, its size must be reduced so that the surgeon has enough room to see its attachments to nerves. An incision is made in the tumor capsule and the center is hollowed out (debulked). A drill is used to open the bony internal auditory canal to expose the origin of the tumor (Fig. 4).
Figure 4. A drill is used to open the internal auditory canal (IAC) to expose the tumor origin.
Step 5: remove the tumor
The tumor origin at the vestibular nerve is cut, and attachments to the facial nerve are carefully dissected. Damage to the facial nerve may result in facial weakness or paralysis. Every effort is made to remove the tumor without damaging hearing, the facial nerve, or brainstem functions. An evoked potential monitoring probe is used to stimulate and monitor the nerves and brainstem. A decrease in nerve waveform signals the surgeon to stop dissecting. In some cases it may be best to leave remnants of tumor capsule attached to critical structures (Fig. 5 and 6). This is called a near-total removal. Because these tumors grow slowly, the risk of regrowth is far less than the risk of damaging the nerves.
Figure 5. In large tumors, the bulk of the tumor is hollowed out and cut away. The tumor capsule adherent to the delicate facial nerve is not removed.
Figure 6. In small tumors, a near-total or total removal may be accomplished. The amount of tumor removal is guided by evoked potential monitoring during dissection.
Step 6: close the craniotomy
The drilled auditory canal is sealed with bone wax, and a small piece of muscle is glued over the opening. This prevents cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from leaking into the middle ear. The dura is closed in watertight fashion and biologic glue is applied to prevent CSF leakage. The bone flap is replaced and secured with titanium plates and screws. The muscles and skin incisions are sutured back together.
What happens after surgery?
After surgery, you are taken to the recovery room where vital signs are monitored as you awake from anesthesia. You may have a sore throat from the tube used to assist your breathing. After you awaken, you’ll be moved to the intensive care unit (ICU) for close monitoring. Your blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration will be monitored. You may experience nausea, unsteadiness, and headache after surgery. Medication can control these symptoms. When your condition stabilizes, you will be transferred to a regular room, where you will begin to increase your activity level.
The length of the hospital stay varies but is usually 2 to 3 days. When you are released home, you will be given discharge instructions.
Follow the surgeon’s home care instructions for 2 weeks after surgery or until your follow-up appointment. In general, you can expect:
Restrictions
- Try not to blow your nose or sneeze. If you must sneeze, do so with your mouth open.
- No strenuous activity including yard work, housework, and sex.
- Don’t drink alcohol. It thins the blood and increases the risk of bleeding. Also, don’t mix alcohol with pain medicines.
- Don’t smoke or use nicotine products: vape, dip, or chew. It prevents new bone growth and may delay healing.
- Don’t drive, return to work, or fly air travel until your surgeon says it’s OK.
Incision Care
- Wash your hands before and after cleaning your incision to prevent infection.
- You may shower the day after surgery and wash your hair with mild baby shampoo. Gently wash the incision area with soap and water every day. Don’t scrub or let the water beat hard on your incision. Pat dry.
- If Dermabond skin glue covers your incision, don’t rub or pick at the glue.
- Don’t submerge your incisions in a bathtub or pool. Don’t get water in the ear canal.
- Don’t apply lotion/ointment on the incision, including hair styling products.
- You may hear noises (popping, crackling, ringing) inside your head or have a feeling of fullness in your ear. This is normal.
- Don’t color your hair for 6 weeks. If you cut your hair, use caution near the incision.
- Sleep with clean bed linens / pillowcase. No pets in the bed until your incision heals.
Face / Eye care
- Don’t rub your eyes or let them dry out. Use eye drops 3 to 4 times a day in the affected eye to prevent cornea injury.
- Inspect your eye daily for signs of redness, irritation, or blurring of vision. If any of these occur, notify your surgeon.
- You may have some facial weakness. Eat slowly and avoid tough foods. You may find it helpful to chew and swallow on the opposite side of your mouth until facial weakness improves.
Medications
- Headaches are common after surgery. You may take acetaminophen (Tylenol).
- Take pain medicine as prescribed. Reduce the amount and frequency as your pain subsides. If you don’t need the pain medicine, don’t take it.
- Narcotics can cause constipation. Drink lots of water and eat high-fiber foods. Stool softeners and laxatives can help move the bowels. Colace, Senokot, Dulcolax, and Miralax are over-the-counter options.
- Anti-seizure medicine may be prescribed. Some patients develop side effects such as drowsiness, balance problems, or rashes. Call the office if any of these occur.
- Don’t take anti-inflammatory pain relievers (Advil, Aleve) without surgeon’s approval.
Activity
- Fatigue is common after surgery. Rest and gradually return to your normal activities.
- Get up and walk 5-10 minutes every 3-4 hours. Gradually increase walking time, as you are able. Wait to start exercising until after your follow-up.
- Swelling and bruising of the ear or face may occu. It will take several weeks to go away.
- Sleep with your head elevated and apply ice 3-4 times per day for 15-20 minutes to help reduce pain and swelling.
When to Call Your Doctor
- A fever over 101.5º F (unrelieved by Tylenol).
- Signs of incision infection, such as spreading redness, separation, or colored drainage.
- Increased drowsiness, weakness of arms / legs, increased headaches, vomiting, or severe neck pain that prevents lowering your chin to chest.
- New or worsening eye problems, face weakness / numbness, hearing loss, or confusion.
- Swelling at the incision with leaking of clear fluid from your ear or nose.
- Swelling and tenderness in the calf of one leg (sign of a blood clot).
- Seizure
Recovery & prevention
A follow-up appointment with the neurosurgeon will be scheduled 10 to 14 days after surgery. Recovery time varies from 4 to 6 weeks, depending on your tumor size and your general health. Patients typically return to work in 6 weeks, provided their balance is recovering, but be sure to check with your surgeon.
What are the risks?
No surgery is without risk. General complications of any surgery include bleeding, infection, blood clots, and reactions to anesthesia. Specific complications related to a craniotomy may include stroke, seizures, venous sinus occlusion, swelling of the brain, and CSF leakage. Risks related to acoustic neuroma surgery may include:
Facial weakness is the loss of muscle control on one side of the face caused by nerve swelling or damage; it may be temporary or permanent. Temporary facial paralysis or weakness is common after surgery and may persist for 6 to 12 months. Those with facial weakness will need to take extra care of their eye with artificial tears and lubricant until facial nerve function improves. Facial nerve function is directly related to the size of the tumor. The House-Brackmann Scale is used to evaluate facial nerve function before and after surgery (Fig. 7). Massage and facial exercises are recommended to improve facial nerve function [2]. It is possible for facial weakness to improve, e.g., Grade 4 to a Grade 2. A high-grade weakness may not recover completely. A weakness of Grade 4 to 6 may need facial surgery to protect the eye and improve one’s appearance.
House-Brackmann Facial Weakness Scale |
| Grade |
Description |
| I: |
Normal symmetrical function in all areas. |
| II: |
Slight weakness; Complete eye closure with minimal effort; Slight asymmetry of smile; Synkineses barely noticeable contracture, or spasm absent. |
| III: |
Obvious weakness but not disfiguring; May not be able to lift eyebrow; Complete eye closure and strong but asymmetrical mouth movement; Obvious, but not disfiguring synkinesis, mass movement or spasm. |
| IV: |
Obvious disfiguring weakness |
| V: |
Motion barely perceptible; Incomplete eye closure, slight movement corner mouth; Synkinesis, contracture and spasm usually absent. |
| VI: |
No movement, loss of tone, no synkinesis, contracture, or spasm |
Figure 7. The House-Brackmann facial weakness scale. Grades I and II are considered “socially acceptable” facial function by most physicians, although some patients cope well with a Grade III.
Exercises for Facial Weakness
Use a mirror to do these exercises 2 to 3 times daily. Begin with 8 to 10 repetitions and gradually increase.
- Raise eyebrows, wrinkling the forehead as in surprise or fright.
- Draw the eyebrows together, as in frowning.
- Close eyelids firmly, forming wrinkles radiating from the outer angles.
- Widen the nostrils of your nose.
- Draw the point of the nose downward, narrowing the nostrils.
- Raise the skin of chin and protrude the lower lip, as in pouting.
- Draw the angle of the mouth backward, as in grinning.
- Move the angles of the mouth upward and outward, as in smiling.
- Raise and protrude the upper lip.
- Close the lips and pucker them.
- Pull down the angles of your mouth with your fingers.
- Suck in sides of mouth, puff out cheeks. (Do not let air escape from behind the lips.)
- Protrude the lower jaw on each side.
- Bite firmly on each side.
- Depress the lower jaw against resistance. Hold hand firmly under chin and try to open your mouth.
Permanent facial paralysis (Grade 5 or 6) is less common, usually occurring with large tumors, and results in an inability to close the eye, loss of facial expression, and facial droop. If a patient still has facial paralysis 1 year after surgery, the chance of further recovery is reduced. Consultation with an ENT surgeon who specializes in facial reconstruction may be needed to restore facial tone and appearance at rest. Options include:
- Gold weight implant: places a small implant in the upper eyelid to improve eyelid closure.
- Lower eyelid tightening: pulls up a sagging lower eyelid.
- Brow lift: lifts sagging brows.
- Botulinum injection: reduces abnormal facial twitching (injection lasts 3 to 6 months).
- Temporalis muscle sling: borrows other muscles to increase facial movement.
- Static sling: uses materials to support sagging tissues.
- Nerve transfer: borrows other nerves to increase facial movement (facial-to-hypoglossal nerve anastomosis). This option is recommended as soon as there is no possibility of facial nerve recovery. After years of facial paralysis, the facial nerve may become scarred and unresponsive to reconstructive surgery.
Eye problems may occur as the result of facial weakness or paralysis that prevents the eye from closing completely. This allows the eye to become dry and unprotected. Artificial tears, eye lubricants, protective glasses, bandage contact lenses, and taping the eye shut are all options to protect the cornea. Care by an eye specialist may be indicated. Call the doctor if you have signs of a corneal abrasion, which include blurred vision, redness, and a sensation of something in your eye that doesn’t improve after applying eye drops.
If prolonged facial nerve paralysis is expected, various procedures may be performed to protect the cornea and improve one's appearance. For example, to improve eyelid position and closure, acanthoplasty -- the bringing together of the tendons in the corners of the eye -- may be performed. To simulate blinking, a palpebral spring device may be inserted in the upper eyelid to provide a blink reflex synchronous with the other eye, or a silastic elastic prosthesis may be secured through and around the upper and lower eyelids. Alternatively, a gold weight may be implanted in the upper eyelid to enhance lid closure.
Hearing loss is the most common complication and may be permanent in the affected ear because the tumor is wrapped around the cochlear nerve. In small tumors it is possible to save hearing when removing the tumor. Larger tumors usually have already caused some hearing loss or deafness prior to surgery. Two to 3 months after surgery, a hearing test is performed to determine your degree of useful hearing (Fig. 8). An audiologist or speech therapist can help you learn tips for coping with one-sided hearing loss. Understanding speech in difficult listening situations may be helped with a CROS (contralateral routing of sound) aid. The CROS aid is an instrument that receives sound on the deaf side, amplifies it, and then routes it to the good hearing ear. A small aid is worn on each ear.
Gardner-Robertson Hearing Scale |
| GRADE |
PTA(dB) |
SD(%) |
| I: Good |
0-30 |
70-100 |
| II: Serviceable |
31-50 |
50-69 |
| III: Non-serviceable |
51-90 |
5-49 |
| IV: Poor |
90-100 |
1-4 |
| V: Deaf |
0 |
0 |
| PTA= pure tone average |
|
|
| SD= speech discrimination score |
|
|
Figure 8. The Gardner-Robertson hearing scale. Grades I and II are considered
"useful hearing" and can hear a phone conversation.
Sound may also be conducted from the tumor side to hearing side via the bone using a BAHA implant (bone-anchored hearing aid). This device has gained popularity in habilitating single-sided deafness related to acoustic neuromas because of the excellent sound quality and the need for only one device, which is worn behind, not in, the ear.
Balance problems are common and generally improve after surgery with head exercises, Pilates, or Tai Chi. Care should be taken when using stairs or escalators. Persistent balance or dizziness problems may need treatment with vestibular (balance) rehabilitation.
Exercises for Dizziness & Balance Problems
Exercises to be carried out for 15 minutes 2 times daily, increasing to 30 minutes. Dizziness is expected when first beginning the exercises.
Eye Exercises (do each 20 times):
• Look up, then down. At first slowly, then quickly.
• Look from one side to the other. At first slowly, then quickly.
• Focus on your finger at arm’s length. Move finger one foot closer and back again.
Head Exercises (do each 20 times):
• With your eyes open, bend your head forward then backward. At first slowly, then quickly.
• Turn your head from one side to the other side. At first slowly, then quickly.
• As dizziness decreases, do these exercises with your eyes closed.
Sitting (do each 20 times):
• While sitting, shrug your shoulders.
• Turn your shoulders to the right, then left.
• Bend forward, pick up an object from the ground, and sit up.
Standing (do each 20 times):
• Change from sitting to standing and back again with your eyes open. Repeat with eyes closed.
• Throw a small rubber ball from hand to hand above eye level.
• Throw ball from hand to hand under one knee.
Moving About (do each 10 times):
• Walk across the room with your eyes open, then eyes closed.
• Walk up and down a slope with your eyes open, then eyes closed.
• Walk up and down steps with your eyes open, then eyes closed.
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage is the escape of CSF that flows around the brain. This usually takes the form of a squishy pocket of fluid around the incision. Contact the surgeon immediately if leakage is suspected. A pressure dressing may be applied over the incision to stop the leak. Sometimes a lumbar drain is inserted in the lower back to reduce CSF pressure and close off the leak. If the leak continues, surgical repair may be necessary. New closure techniques and use of biologic glue greatly reduces CSF leakage.
Headache is common after acoustic neuroma surgery and usually subsides within several weeks. Persistent headache (>3 months) can occur after suboccipital craniotomy. The best way to prevent post-craniotomy headaches is to use a high-arching skin incision. Cutting of the nerve branches causes numbness of the scalp. Conversely, partial injury or entrapment of the nerves from instruments and muscle retraction can cause occipital neuralgia and headache pain. Typical postoperative headaches occur more than once daily (46%), last 1 to 4 hours in duration (43%), and are of moderate intensity (63%) [3]. Treatment with NSAIDs typically provides relief. For severe chronic headaches, non-narcotic medications may be prescribed (e.g., Neurontin, Lyrica). Shooting headache pain that has a specific trigger point can be treated with steroid injections into the painful area.
What are the results?
Outcomes of surgery depend on the size and adherence of the tumor, the use of cranial nerve monitoring, and the skill of the surgical team. Removing the tumor will usually restore balance, facial function and sensation, eyelid function, and tear production. Hearing loss is usually permanent because the tumor is wrapped around the eighth cranial nerve (the nerve responsible for hearing).
The medical literature reports vary, but overall, facial movement is preserved in 90% and useful hearing is preserved in 20 to 50% of patients [4,5,6]. Delayed hearing loss may occur after surgery in 30 to 50% of patients who had useful hearing immediately after surgery. Partial-removal techniques have higher rates of hearing and facial function preservation; however, a recent long-term study revealed that subtotal resection had a three-fold higher rate of tumor regrowth and no long-term impact on facial nerve function or hearing [7]. Tumor recurrence is less than 5% after total surgical removal.
Sources & links
If you have more questions, please contact Mayfield Brain & Spine at 800-325-7787 or 513-221-1100.
Sources
- Wiet RJ, et al. Long-term results of the first 500 cases of acoustic neuroma surgery. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 124:645-51, 2001
- Ryzenman JM, Pensak ML, Tew JM Jr. Facial paralysis and surgical rehabilitation: a quality of life analysis in a cohort of 1,595 patients after acoustic neuroma surgery. Otol Neurotol 26:516-21, 2005
- Ryzenman JM, Pensak ML, Tew JM Jr. Headache: a quality of life analysis in a cohort of 1,657 patients undergoing acoustic neuroma surgery, results from the acoustic neuroma association. Laryngoscope 115:703-11, 2005
- Raftopoulos C, et al. Microsurgical results with large vestibular schwannomas with preservation of facial and cochlear nerve function as primary aim. Acta Neurochir 147:697-706, 2005
- Samii M, et al. Hearing Preservation after Complete Microsurgical Removal in Vestibular Schwannomas. Régis J, Roche P-H (eds): Modern Management of Acoustic Neuroma. Prog Neurol Surg 21:136-141, 2008
- Anaizi AN, DiNapoli VV, Pensak M, Theodosopoulos PV. Small Vestibular Schwannomas: Does Surgery Remain a Viable Treatment Option? J Neurol Surg B Skull Base 77(3):212-8, 2016
- Monfared A, Corrales E, Theodosopoulos P, et al. Facial Nerve Outcome and Tumor Control Rate as a Function of Degree of Resection in Treatment of Large Acoustic Neuromas: Preliminary Report of the Acoustic Neuroma Subtotal Resection Study. Neurosurgery 79:194-203, 2016
Links
BAHA (bone-anchored hearing aid): a hearing device used for conductive hearing loss. It transmits sound through the bone of the skull to the inner ear, bypassing the middle ear.
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF): a clear fluid produced by the choroid plexus in the ventricles of the brain that bathes the brain and spinal cord, giving them support and buoyancy to protect from injury.
craniotomy: the surgical opening of a portion of the skull, allowing access to the intracranial structures, and the replacement of the bone flap.
CROS (contralateral routing of sound): a hearing device used with one-sided deafness. It receives sound on the deaf side, amplifies it, and carries it to the good ear.
dura: the outer protective covering of the brain.
facial nerve: the seventh cranial nerve, responsible for movement of the face.
facial palsy: paralysis of the facial muscles on one side.
facial synkinesis: involuntary movement of facial muscles that accompanies purposeful movement of some other set of muscles; e.g., facial synkinesis may cause the mouth to involuntarily grimace when the eyes are purposefully closed.
occipital neuralgia: a persistent pain in the neck and back of the head that is caused by an injury or irritation of the greater or lesser occipital nerves.
seizure: uncontrollable convulsion, spasm, or series of jerking movements of the face, trunk, arms, or legs.
tinnitus: ringing or buzzing noise in the ear. vertigo: a feeling of spinning, whirling or turning.
updated > 1.2021
reviewed by > Vince DiNapoli, MD, PhD, Mayfield Clinic, Cincinnati, Ohio
Mayfield Certified Health Info materials are written and developed by the Mayfield Clinic. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. This information is not intended to replace the medical advice of your health care provider.