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OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to study the occurrence and source of origin of postcraniotomy headache syndrome after removal of vestibular schwannoma via the retrosigmoid approach.

METHODS: A retrospective chart analysis was conducted of all patients with headache at 3 months after removal of vestibular schwannoma from January 1981 through March 1997 and with a minimum of 24 months of follow-up. Diagnosis was made according to the headache classification and was graded using the HARNER scale. Recovery outcome was compared in selected groups of patients with and without headache. A descriptive statistical analysis was used to analyze differences between groups.

RESULTS: Of the patients who underwent retrosigmoid craniotomy for removal of vestibular schwannomas, 52 of 155 patients (34%) reported having severe headache of requiring medication every day and/or feeling incapacitated 3 …