Background and Objectives: The advent of magnetic resonance imaging has enabled surgeons to detect small intracanalicular tumors. Therefore, many patients with acoustic tumors can be candidates for hearing preservation. This study was designed
to
analyze hearing results following acoustic tumor removal through the extended middle cranial fossa approach (EMCFA) and to determine the prognostic factors associated with successful hearing preservation. Materials & Methods: We retrospectively
reviewed
11 patients whose tumor was removed via EMCFA (10:acoustic tumor, 1:lymphangioma). Results: In 9 patients, the tumors were completely removed with EMCFA and in one patient, the suboccipital approach was combined with EMCFA. However, the approach
was
transformed to the translabyrinthine approach in one patient, because the tumor adhered to the cochlear nerve. The overall success rate of hearing preservation was 60%(6 of 10). In 20% of patients, the hearing was worse and other 20% of patients
lost
their hearing. Preoperative hearing level, location of tumor and origin of tumor affect the postoperative hearing. But tumor size did not relate to hearing preservation. Conclusion: In most cases, we could preserve the patient's hearing with
EMCFA.
However, the patients with poor preoperative hearing and tumor originated from the superior vestibular nerve were at risk for hearing loss.
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