Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41663198›Full record

ArticleBrain tumor research and treatment2026

Facial Nerve Outcomes Following Microsurgical Resection of Large Cerebellopontine Angle Tumors: Experience From a Tertiary Care Center in Pakistan.

Shah Khalid, Salaar Ahmed, Komal Naeem, Ahmad Hassan, Mehar Masroor, Altaf Ali Laghari, Syed Ather Enam

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Article in Brain tumor research and treatment, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Shah KhalidSection of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1167-6418
Salaar AhmedSection of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0834-5535
Komal NaeemSection of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0005-1192-1934
Ahmad HassanSection of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0001-7043-298X
Mehar MasroorSection of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7314-697X
Altaf Ali LaghariSection of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9091-9413
Syed Ather EnamSection of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. ather.enam@aku.edu.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2194-0723

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCerebellopontine angle (CPA) tumors present surgical challenges due to their proximity to the facial nerve. Despite preservation efforts, facial nerve paresis is a major issue. This study aims to identify key factors affecting facial nerve preservation during microsurgical resection of large CPA tumors in a low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) setting.

methodsThis retrospective cross-sectional study, conducted at Aga Khan University, included patients who underwent microsurgical resection of large (>3 cm) CPA tumors with House-Brackmann (HB) grades 1-4. Postoperative facial nerve function was assessed using the HB grading system. Data was extracted from medical records and analyzed using SPSS 22.

resultsThis study analyzed 95 patients (M:F=1:1.16, mean age 44.24±13.71 years) with CPA tumors who underwent microsurgical resection. Common presenting complaints included a complete hearing loss (57.9%), headache (52.6%), and abnormal gait (40%). Preoperative facial nerve function was normal (HB grade I) in 75%, with 19%, 7%, and 2% having HB grades II, III, and IV, respectively. Schwannoma (69.5%), meningioma (16.8%), and epidermoid cyst (10.5%) were the most common diagnoses. Postoperative preservation of facial nerve function was achieved in 73.7% of patients. At six months, HB grades I and II were observed in 64% and 11.5%, respectively, while none had complete facial nerve palsy. On univariate analysis, larger tumor size and higher HB grade correlated with worse facial nerve outcomes (

conclusionFacial nerve preservation during CPA tumor resection is influenced by intrinsic tumor characteristics, surgical complexity, and patient-specific factors. Detailed preoperative counseling is crucial to set realistic expectations.

Indexed as

Cerebellopontine angle tumorsFacial nerveLow- and middle-income countriesPakistanSchwannoma

Identifiers

PMID41663198
PMCPMC12891967

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