Use of DTT to Define Facial Nerve Position in Vestibular Schwannomas

Launched by KING'S COLLEGE HOSPITAL NHS TRUST · Aug 13, 2019

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is investigating a new MRI technique called diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) to help surgeons better understand the position of the facial nerve before performing surgery on patients with vestibular schwannomas (VS). Vestibular schwannomas are benign tumors that can grow on the nerve responsible for balance and hearing, and while they are not cancerous, they can cause serious symptoms and may require surgical removal. One of the risks during surgery is accidentally damaging the nearby facial nerve, which can lead to permanent facial weakness. The goal of this study is to see if DTT can reliably show the facial nerve’s location before surgery, which could help surgeons operate more safely and confidently.

To participate in this study, you would need to be an adult scheduled for surgery to remove a vestibular schwannoma that is larger than 1.5 cm. You would also need to be able to understand the provided information and give your written consent. The only change for participants will be that their pre-operative MRI will take about 10 minutes longer to include the new DTT scan. This research is currently recruiting participants and is open to all genders. If you meet the eligibility criteria, your involvement could contribute to improving surgical outcomes for others in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • The capacity to understand the patient information sheet and the ability to provide written informed consent
• • \>1.5cm extrameatal tumor determined to represent a vestibular schwannoma by preoperative imaging
• • HB grade I or II preoperatively
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Patients not meeting the above inclusion criteria
• • Standard contraindications to MRI
• • Previous cranial radiotherapy or previous surgery to the cerebellopontine angle cistern or IAM