Factors Associated With Brain Fog in Acoustic Neuroma Patients

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

8:24 AM - 8:30 AM East Coast USA Time

Location: 104BC

Presenting Author(s)

OL

Olivia A. La Monte, BS

Medical Student
UC San Diego Department of Otolaryngology
San Diego, CA, United States

Co-Author(s)

AW

Andrew Woodhouse, MD

UC San Diego Department of Otolaryngology, USA
Charlotte K. Hughes, MD, MPH

Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology
Naval Medical Center San Diego/UC San Diego
San Diego, CA, United States
Joshua Lee, BS

Medical Student (NYMC)
UC San Diego Department of Otolaryngology
Valhalla, NY, United States
Benjamin T. Ostrander, MD, MSE

Resident Physician
UC San Diego Department of Otolaryngology
La Jolla, CA, United States
Peter R. Dixon, MD MSc

Assistant Professor
MUSC Department of Otolaryngology
Charleston, SC, United States

Senior Author(s)

Rick A. Friedman, MD PhD

Professor of Otolaryngology and Neurosurgery
Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, University of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA, United States

Introduction: Brain fog is a neuropsychiatric constellation of symptoms typically manifesting as difficulties with memory, attention, and executive function. We aim to identify factors associated with brain fog in patients with acoustic neuromas (AN).

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted at a tertiary referral center. 1,364 patients who were diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma were provided with a comprehensive brain fog survey between January 2021 and December 2022. The main outcome measures included frequency, severity, and patient-centered outcomes regarding brain fog.

Results: 119 AN patients who underwent radiotherapy (n=5), surgical intervention (n=27), or conservative management (n=87) completed the survey. 30% (36/119) reported experiencing brain fog. All patients experienced at least one symptom associated with brain fog. Radiotherapy and lack of intervention trended toward an increased odds for reporting brain fog (OR=1.59, CI: 0.25-9.94; OR=1.36, CI: 0.54-3.43, respectively) and surgical resection trended towards decreased odds for reporting brain fog (OR=0.45, CI: 0.16-1.32). Brain fog duration, severity and impact on quality of life correlated to the distance from the inferior border of the tumor to the internal auditory canal (r=0.61, 0.35 and 0.49, respectively). Brain fog frequency and severity correlated with tumor size (r=-0.30 and -0.35 respectively).

Conclusions: Brain fog is a significant cognitive impairment that can severely impact quality of life. Treatment did not significantly affect the likelihood of brain fog, as assessed by the comprehensive survey. Tumor characteristics may impact duration, frequency, and severity of brain fog.