LIPOMAS OF THE INTERNAL AUDITORY-CANAL

Lipomas of the internal auditory canal (IAC) are rare, benign neoplasm s occurring in the third to fifth decade of life predominately in Cauc asian males, Eleven cases of IAC lesions have been previously reported ; we report four more. Two of four cases showed atypical findings on p reoperative radiographic evaluation. These two patients had surgery. T wo patients with small tumors elected for observation with close follo w-up, Fat suppression of T1-weighted images on magnetic resonance imag ing (MRI) offers the most precise preoperative diagnostic tool of IAC lipomas, Because of the infiltrative nature of these tumors, hearing c onservation surgery is unlikely to succeed, We recommend observation f or those patients with small tumors and serviceable hearing.