The dynamics of the vestibulocochlear syndrome after the removal of tumors in the pineal area

: The paper presents the follow-up data on 39 patients who underwent microsurgical removal of pineal tumors. Computerized and magnetic resonance tomographies were performed prior to and following the removal of pineal tumor. Otoneurological symptoms were analyzed in their dynamics in 32 patients in the early postoperative period (up to 20 days) and in 6 patients in the late period (1 to 5 years) after radiation therapy. Seven patients died from intracranial complications in the early postoperative period. Acoustic and vestibular functions were evaluated from otoneurological, electronystagmographic, pure-tone and verbal audiometric findings. The postoperative positive dynamics of acoustic and vestibular functions was observed in most patients. A steady-state positive effect also remained in 5 patients in the long-term period. The paper gives 2 cases with clear-cut positive cochlear dynamics after removing pineal tumors.