Otoneurological symptoms and their changes after removal of pineal tumors

: The authors analyze otoneurological symptoms in 120 patients with pineal tumors. A marked cochleovestibular syndrome was found characterized by bilateral neurosensory hypoacusis with vocal-tonal dissociation, head noises, vertigo, multiple spontaneous nystagmus including a converging one, impaired optokinetic nystagmus, enhanced vestibulovegetative reactions. 39 cases are reported with pineal tumors removed microsurgically. Otoneurological symptoms were followed up in 32 patients early after surgery (within 20 postoperative days) and in 6 patients 1 to 5 years after radiotherapy. As evident from otoneurological examination, electronystagmography, tonal and speech audiometry, positive postoperative changes in auditory and vestibular functions occurred in most of the patients. The response persisted long in 5 patients.