ABSTRACT
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) has several etiologies. It may be a presenting
symptom of vestibular schwannoma (VS). This study aimed to establish the incidence
of VS in patients with SSNHL, and we report several unusual cases among these patients.
We reviewed retrospectively the charts and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings
of all adult patients who presented with SSNHL between 2002 and 2008. We utilized
three-dimensional fast imaging with steady-state acquisition temporal MRI as a screening
method. Of the 295 patients with SSNHL, VS was found in 12 (4%). All patients had
intrameatal or small to medium-sized tumors. There were three cases with SSNHL in
one ear and an incidental finding of intracanalicular VS in the contralateral ear.
There were four cases of VS that showed good recovery from SSNHL with corticosteroid
treatment. There were two cases that mimicked labyrinthitis with hearing loss and
vertigo. A greater number of cases than expected of VS were detected in patients with
SSNHL, as a result of increasing widespread use of MRI. Various unusual findings in
these patients were identified. MRI would seem to be mandatory in all cases of SSNHL.
KEYWORDS
Sudden hearing loss - vestibular schwannoma - magnetic resonance imaging - steroid
- vertigo
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Jong Dae LeeM.D.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Soonchunhyang University
College of Medicine
1174 Jung-Dong, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-Do 420-767, Korea
Email: ljdent@schbc.ac.kr
