Question: A 48 year old woman is referred to you for a newly discovered right-sided vestibular schwannoma. The tumor measures 1 cm in axial dimension and there is a 2 mm fundal CSF cap. She has normal hearing in the left ear and mild sloping to moderate hearing loss in the right ear with 95% word understanding. She is otherwise healthy and works as an accountant. When comparing observation, microsurgery, and radiosurgery, which of the following quality of life outcome measures is most likely to change positively with microsurgical tumor removal?

a) Balance

b) Headache

c) Hearing loss

d) Anxiety

[Answer will be posted with next week's new question]

Answer to last week's question, “It’s Electric” (August 30, 2021)

B - The surgeon should insert the electrode slowly to minimize trauma.