Surgical resection of vestibular schwannoma (VS) is frequently complicated by unpredictable tumor fibrosis and adhesion to the facial nerve and brainstem, yet validated preoperative blood-based biomarkers for these intraoperative features are lacking. We tested whether peripheral blood immune profiles predict the intraoperative surgical anatomy of VS.
Preoperative blood immune profiling shows promise for predicting facial nerve outcomes in vestibular schwannoma surgery, but findings require prospective validation before influencing surgical planning or patient counseling.
If validated, immune-based biomarkers could provide a non-invasive preoperative tool to stratify surgical risk and expected facial nerve function in vestibular schwannoma patients, directly impacting neurotology practice.
- 01Preoperative blood immune profiles were evaluated as predictors of tumor fibrosis and facial nerve adhesion in vestibular schwannoma.
- 02Facial nerve preservation is a critical outcome in vestibular schwannoma surgery, affecting quality of life.
- 03Study links systemic immune markers to tumor tissue characteristics and surgical anatomy.
- 04Published in Journal of Neuro-Oncology (2026).
- 05Retrospective or cross-sectional design limits causal inference; prospective validation is needed.
Preoperative blood immune profiling can predict tumor fibrosis and facial nerve adhesion in vestibular schwannoma patients.
studypartially supportedBlood immune markers are associated with facial nerve surgical outcomes following vestibular schwannoma resection.
studypartially supported- PMID
- 42463601
- DOI
- 10.1007/s11060-026-05710-4.
- Journal
- Journal of Neuro-Oncology
- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 3
- Population
- Patients undergoing surgical resection for vestibular schwannoma
- Intervention
- Preoperative blood immune profiling
Primary outcomes
Prediction of tumor fibrosis; Prediction of facial nerve adhesion; Facial nerve surgical outcome