Sudden onset bilateral sensorineural hearing loss: a manifestation of occult breast carcinoma.
Diffuse infiltration of the meninges by metastatic carcinoma (meningeal carcinomastosis) is a potential complication of systemic malignancy. It may present with a variety of neurological symptoms as any aspect of the neuraxis can be affected. Often there is a history of pre-existing malignancy. The authors describe a case with an initial presentation of sudden onset profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The underlying pathology was found to be an occult breast carcinoma, a previously unreported finding. The role of cerebrospinal fluid cytology and radio-imaging in diagnosis is discussed. All previously reported cases of sudden hearing loss and meningeal carcinomatosis are reviewed.
Uppal
H S
HS
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley, UK. huppal@lineone.net
Ayshford
C A
CA
Wilson
F
F
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009382:Neoplasms, Unknown Primary / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology