The natural history of vestibular schwannoma (VS) is variable, with concerns about observation management rather than hearing loss. Shrinkage is well documented, with an undetermined hearing outcome. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report the case of a 62-year-old female followed in our clinic with a left cerebellopontine angle mass with radiological features of a VS....
✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
No actionable change — spontaneous resolution of vestibular schwannoma remains an exceptional rarity; this single case does not alter established observation or intervention protocols.
Understanding the full spectrum of vestibular schwannoma natural history, including rare spontaneous resolution, informs shared decision-making conversations between clinicians and patients about observation versus active treatment.
- 01Documents a rare case of spontaneous, complete resolution of a vestibular schwannoma without intervention.
- 02Supports the biological plausibility of observation ('wait and scan') management in selected patients.
- 03Most vestibular schwannomas grow slowly; spontaneous regression is exceptional, not expected.
- 04Authors discuss implications for patient counseling regarding the natural history of the condition.
- 05Published in Surgical Neurology International.
Vestibular schwannoma can spontaneously resolve without any medical or surgical intervention.
studypartially supported- PMID
- 42974231
- DOI
- 10.25259/SNI_1078_2025.
- Journal
- Surgical Neurology International
- Publication type
- case_report
- Evidence level
- 4
- Sample size
- 1
- Population
- Single patient with a vestibular schwannoma managed conservatively
- Intervention
- Observation management (watch and scan) for vestibular schwannoma
Primary outcomes
Spontaneous tumor resolution; Radiological change over observation period