Cystic vestibular schwannomas: a possible role of matrix metalloproteinase–2 in cyst development and unfavorable surgical outcome

Abstract

Resection of cystic VS is complicated by severe adhesion of the tumor capsule to the facial nerve and the large size of the lesion. The authors believe that MMP-2 may be involved in the pathogenesis of cyst formation or in its enlargement and may aggravate adhesion to the facial nerve, either by promoting the enlargement of the tumor or engendering the degradation of the tumor-nerve barrier proteolytically.