PRIMARY MENINGIOMA OF THE INTERNAL AUDITO RY MEATUS

Background: Meningiomas originating in the internal auditory meatus ar e rare and have been reported in only 12 cases. Patient: We report abo ut another case, which showed primarily the symptoms of sudden hearing loss and diagnostic signs of an intrameatal acoustic neuroma. The ABR interpeak latency IV was prolonged. The tumor was detected by MRI sca n with gadolinium contrast enhancement and resembled the features of a n intrameatal acoustic neuroma. Results: The tumor was removed via a m iddle fossa approach with preservation of hearing and facial nerve fun ction. Histological examination however revealed a meningioma originat ing from the internal auditory meatus. Conclusions: Contrast enhancing intrameatal tumors are most often acoustic neuromas. However even des pite subtile audiological and neurotological examination and sophistic ated imaging techniques they cannot be differentiated clinically from meningiomas at this location. Removal of the intrameatal tumor via a m iddle fossa approach seems to be the best surgical approach to preserv e hearing and facial nerve function.