We aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes of surgically treated cystic acoustic neuromas, and to determine the prognostic significance of the presence of cystic components, by comparing surgical outcomes for solid and cystic tumors. A total of 58 patients (20.4%) with newly diagnosed cystic tumor were studied. The surgical outcome was analyzed in terms of extent of tumor removal, facial nerve preservation, morbidity and mortality; and was compared with that in patients with solid tumors. Facial nerve preservation rates were much better for solid tumors (82.7%) than for cystic tumors (67.9%). The extent of tumor removal was complete in 75.9% of patients with cystic tumors as compared with 90.2% for solid acoustic neuromas. Overall mortality was 8.6%. Cystic tumors differ from solid acoustic neuromas by having a rapid growth pattern, short clinical history and more frequent facial nerve involvement. They are associated with a poorer surgical outcome in terms of facial preservation and overall result.