Facial nerve paralysis and meningioma of the internal auditory canal.
Pathological lesions confined to the internal auditory canal (IAC) commonly present with cochleovestibular symptoms; sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus and balance disturbance. The commonest lesion of the IAC is vestibular schwannoma. Other lesions include meningioma, facial neuroma, cavernous haemangioma, lipoma and arachnoid cyst. Presentation with facial palsy and an intracanalicular lesion is suggestive of pathology other than acoustic neuroma. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) cannot reliably distinguish intracanalicular vestibular schwannomas from meningiomas. Particular care is required for surgery of these lesions: the facial nerve typically does not lie in a protected anterior position within the IAC.
Hilton
M P
MP
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Science Centre, University of Toronto, Canada. malcolmhilton@hotmail.com
Kaplan
D M
DM
Ang
L
L
Chen
J M
JM
D000328:Adult; D003287:Contrast Media; D004424:Ear Canal; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008579:Meningioma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA