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Skull Base Rep 2011; 1(2): 089-094
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1276722
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Ganglioneuroma of the Internal Auditory Canal Presenting as a Vestibular Schwannoma

Kimon Bekelis1 , Duncan A. Meiklejohn2 , Symeon Missios1 , Brent Harris3 , James E. Saunders2 , Kadir Erkmen1
  • 1Section of Neurosurgery, Dartmouth–Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire
  • 2Section of Ear Nose and Throat Surgery, Dartmouth–Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire
  • 3Section of Pathology, Dartmouth–Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire
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Publikationsdatum:
11. April 2011 (online)

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ABSTRACT

In most series, 90% of cerebellopontine angle tumors are vestibular schwannomas. Meningiomas and epidermoid tumors follow with decreased frequency. Ganglioneuroma is a benign tumor usually found in the retroperitoneum and posterior mediastinum. We report a case of a 21-year-old man with gradual sensorineural hearing loss and a minimally enhancing lesion of the internal auditory canal, which was excised through a middle fossa approach and found histologically to be a ganglioneuroma. Like vestibular schwannomas, these lesions are benign in nature and may be managed in a similar fashion, although the possibility of malignant transformation may support surgical resection over conservative management or radiosurgery. Ganglioneuromas should be considered in patients with atypical radiographic findings for vestibular schwannomas.

KEYWORDS

Ganglioneuroma - vestibular schwannoma - internal auditory canal - cerebellopontine angle

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Kadir ErkmenM.D. 

Section of Neurosurgery, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center

One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756

eMail: Kadir.Erkmen@hitchcock.org