M. Gjuric et al., Cavernous hemangioma of the internal auditory canal arising from the inferior vestibular nerve: Case report and review of the literature, AM J OTOL, 21(1), 2000, pp. 110-114
Objective: To describe a case of cavernous hemangioma arising from the infe
rior vestibular nerve, limited to the internal auditory canal.
Study Design: Retrospective case review and review of literature.
Setting: A tertiary referral clinic.
Interventions: Extended middle cranial fossa surgery.
Results:The hemangioma was completely resected through the extended middle
cranial fossa approach. No serious complications occurred, and the hearing
and the facial nerve function were preserved.
Conclusions: Originating from the capillary plexus surrounding Scarpa's gan
glion, this hemangioma has to be differentiated from intratemporal hemangio
ma at the geniculate ganglion. Because of extrinsic growth pattern, the pot
ential for preservation of the facial nerve function is high if surgery is
performed early. Complete resection through the extended middle fossa appro
ach is the treatment of choice for cavernous hemangioma with limited extens
ion into the cerebellopontine angle. It remains difficult to distinguish pr
eoperatively from the more common tumors, and surgery is usually planned on
assumption of vestibular schwannoma.