The purpose of this study was to establish the frequency and pattern of 
depressive disorders after surgery for acoustic neuroma, and to look for 
associations. Twenty seven patients with acoustic neuroma underwent thorough 
psychiatric assessment before surgery and at three and 12 months after surgery. 
Three patients had a depressive disorder in the preoperative assessment. Of the 
remaining 24 patients, nine (38%) had a depressive disorder at the three month 
check up. Deterioration of hearing was the only postoperative detriment 
associated with a depressive disorder (P = 0·024). All nine patients with a 
depressive disorder were women (P = 0·001), giving them a 69% incidence. None of 
the patients without preoperative depression required inpatient treatment for 
depressive disorder, but three patients out of nine still had a depressive 
disorder 12 months after surgery.