title: Ganglionic hamartoma of the intracanalicular acoustic nerve causing sensorineural hearing loss.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This article highlights the clinical presentation and treatment issues of ganglionic hamartoma of the internal auditory canal and emphasizes the similarity of this lesion to acoustic neuroma regarding its audiologic and radiographic characteristics.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article is composed of case reports and a literature review.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was performed at a university hospital/tertiary referral center.
  
  
  METHODS
  A patient with biopsy-proven ganglionic hamartoma of the acoustic nerve was studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  Intervention consisted of surgical therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The main outcome measure was clinical evaluation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The result was successful removal of lesions with facial nerve preservation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An intracanalicular ganglionic hamartoma resulted in progressive sensorineural hearing loss and magnetic resonance imaging findings suggestive of small acoustic neuroma. This lesion, composed of an admixture of ganglion cells, fibroadipose-tissue, and normal myelinated axons, although rare, should be added to the differential diagnosis of internal auditory canal lesions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, USA.
authors.forename: T Y
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Litofsky
authors.forename: T W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Megerian
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001299:Audiometry; D005260:Female; D005724:Ganglia; D006222:Hamartoma / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D013063:Speech Discrimination Tests; D000159:Vestibulocochlear Nerve / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D000160:Vestibulocochlear Nerve Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery