title: Meningeal carcinomatosis producing bilateral sudden hearing loss: a case report.
abstract: Meningeal carcinomatosis is characterized by diffuse infiltration of the leptomeninges by metastatic cancer in patients usually with a previous history of malignancy. Primary tumors are usually adenocarcinomas of the breast or lung, or malignant melanoma. Meningeal carcinomatosis can present with headache and/or a variety of cranial neuropathies. We report a case of meningeal carcinomatosis presenting as a complete, bilateral, sudden hearing loss without other cranial nerve findings--a previously unreported presentation. Our patient also exhibited an unusual primary tumor site (esophagus) and histopathology for meningeal carcinomatosis. The case was impressive for the subsequent abrupt onset of a series of cranial neuropathies and the rapid deterioration in the patient's condition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Civantos
authors.forename: Y S
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: E L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Applebaum
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D006312:Hearing Loss, Bilateral / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary