Inpatient rehabilitation of Cerebellopontine angle Epidermoid cysts: Report of 3 cases

OBJECTIVE:: To demonstrate the inpatient rehabilitation potential of cerebellopontine angle epidermoid cyst patients. Because of their location, symptoms may present with a complex combination of headache, cerebellar dysfunction, and cranial nerve deficits affecting functional status. METHODS:: This report describes the cases of 3 patients with cerebellopontine angle epidermoid cysts who underwent neurosurgical resection followed by inpatient rehabilitation. All 3 patients experienced gait instability and cranial nerve deficits before surgery, and 2 of the patients had mild cognitive deficits. A customized rehabilitation program for these patients can address these deficits. RESULTS:: Each patient showed demonstrable gains in function with inpatient rehabilitation and good outcomes at discharge. CONCLUSIONS:: When rehabilitating epidermoid cyst patients, the clinician must be aware of a higher likelihood of cranial neuropathies, need for increased psychosocial support, and the need for more vigilant long-term medical monitoring to detect recurrence.