Non-auditory presentations of cerebellopontine angle lesions.
Most patients with cerebellopontine angle (CPA) neoplasms present with asymmetric hearing loss and/or tinnitus. For this reason it is well accepted that patients with these symptoms deserve a detailed neurotologic evaluation. Non-auditory presentations of CPA neoplasms, on the other hand, are frequently handled in a more complacent manner which may delay diagnosis and, therefore, result in increased morbidity. Six patients seen in the last 18 months serve to exemplify this point, as all 6 presented with non-auditory symptoms of CPA lesions and, in all cases, the diagnosis was delayed for at least 6 months. Any cranial neuropathy, unless otherwise explained, should suggest the presence of an intracranial or skull base lesion. The practicing physician must learn to give these non-auditory symptoms respect equal to that of asymmetric hearing loss and tinnitus and, therefore, equal evaluation.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002528:Cerebellar Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002530:Cerebellopontine Angle; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008579:Meningioma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D012677:Sensation; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed