Unsuspected intravestibular schwannoma.

The intravestibular schwannoma is physically minute and will often elude preoperative diagnosis. From time to time, such a tumor will be unexpectedly encountered during transcanal labyrinthectomy. A review of pathologic and surgical literature suggests that the lesion can be well managed by the transcanal route. A standard labyrinthectomy may be sufficient, but the translabyrinthine approach may be necessary for more extensive tumors.