Vestibular Schwannoma, Radiosurgery and Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus is an uncommon and controversial complication of radiosurgery for vestibular schwannoma (VS). The controversy arises as hydrocephalus can also be associated with untreated vestibular schwannoma. Nevertheless, retrospective review of radiosurgical cases suggest that in a minority of cases of treated vestibular schwannomas, radiosurgery appears to cause or significantly accelerate subsequent hydrocephalus. This chapter discusses the evidence for this claim, and reviews the frequency of this complication, correlating variables, predisposing factors, proposed mechanisms, and patient management options.