Neuropsychological Deficit Syndrome after Acoustic Neuroma Surgery

• Main Authors: Kempf, Hans Georg, Lenarz, T., Plechata, B., Breukel, M.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1531-5010; 1532-0065
• DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-916447

Objective: After acoustic neuroma surgery primarily organic results such as hearing, vertigo, and facial nerve function are analyzed and reported. Neuropsychological deficits are often not very obvious for the patients and there are few reports in the literature. Methods/Case Report: In a 43-year-old female, an acoustic neuroma was removed via transtemporal approach with hearing preservation and patent facial nerve function postoperatively. After surgery a delayed recovery of the patient's condition was observed, but after 12 months she started working again as a teacher. During that time several attacks of severe exhaustion appeared, leading to an intensive neuropsychological exploration. The test battery (using 16 different tests) showed severe deficits especially in the areas of reaction, concentration, cognitive flexibility, attention, working memory. and speech fluidity. Intelligence, general education, and linguistic capacity were not affected and offered could possibly cover the deficits in normal life. An intensive neuropsychological training has been started. Conclusion: The case shows in detail a rarely reported syndrome of severe neuropsychological deficits and should lead to better care of patients, for example, after acoustic neuroma surgery.