Abstract
Evaluation of the process of adaptation of the balance system as a result of unilateral vestibular deaferentation (UVD ) after vestibular schwannoma surgery based on analysis of the tilt of the subjective visual vertical (SVV ). Method: 34 patients (14 men, 20 women, aged 50.97 +- 13.36 SD) with vestibular schwannoma were examined using the method of me asurement of the SVV tilt before the surgery, 9 to 14 days after the surgery, and 12 to 16 months postoperatively.
The results were compared with the respective control group. The course of the SVV tilt in time was analysed in the patients.
Results: The difference between the absolute values of the SVV tilt in patients and healthy controls is statistically significant. The same applies to the difference between the value of SVV inclinations in patients in subsequent measurements (p = 0.005), with early post-operative deterioration to a median of 4° SVV.
A significantly higher SVV tilt for the left-sided lesions in the first postoperative measurement was observed (p = 0.02). Conclusion: UVD due to vestibular neurectomy results in early SVV deviation towards the operated side, and to subsequent gradual adaptation of the system to the level before the surgery, which is still different from the normal values.