Cavernous angioma of the cerebellopontine angle.
Cavernous angiomas are vascular malformations that are seldom found in the cerebellopontine angle or in the internal auditory canal. We report the case of a 51-year-old man suffering from a rapidly progressive hearing loss, tinnitus and minor unsteadiness. Neurootological examination showed a canal paresis of 91% on the right side. The subsequent neuroradiological examination with magnetic resonance imaging revealed a tumour of the cerebellopontine angle with intracanalicular extension. The observed intensities on T1-, T2- and gadolinium-enhanced sequences suggested the diagnosis of a vestibular schwannoma. Intraoperatively, a reddish tumour was found and histological examination revealed a cavernous angioma. Even though extensive diagnostic procedures were performed, the correct diagnosis could not be established preoperatively.
Hausmann
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Department of Neurosurgery, University of Basel, Kantonsspital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Hausmann
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Probst
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Gratzl
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