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Clinical presentation of posterior fossa epidermoid cysts

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the audiovestibular deficits in those with posterior fossa epidermoid cyst including cerebellopontine angle in two patients and cerebellum in one patient. Prior to operation, all three patients showed bilateral gaze nystagmus. Audiometry revealed mild hearing loss in two patients, and caloric test displayed canal paresis in two patients. After operation, subsidence of gaze nystagmus and recovery of caloric responses were disclosed in all patients. Two patients had both hearing and vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) results recovered to normal. In contrast, the only one who underwent craniotomy twice displayed bilateral mild hearing loss and delayed VEMPs, possibly due to operation sequela. Hence, bilateral gaze nystagmus may present as an initial sign for posterior fossa epidermoid cyst. Audiovestibular deficits in cases of epidermoid cyst are attributable to compression neuropathy, which may resolve and return to normal responses after surgery.

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Acknowledements

Grant no. NSC 94-2314-B002-239 from the National Science Council, Taipei, Taiwan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otolaryngology, Lo Tung Poh-Ai Hospital, Ilan, Taiwan

    Chih-Kai Chu

  2. Departments of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan

    Ham-Min Tseng

  3. Department of Otolaryngology, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, 1 Chang-te St., Taipei, Taiwan

    Yi-Ho Young

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  1. Chih-Kai Chu
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  2. Ham-Min Tseng
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  3. Yi-Ho Young
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Correspondence to Yi-Ho Young.

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Chu, CK., Tseng, HM. & Young, YH. Clinical presentation of posterior fossa epidermoid cysts. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 263, 548–551 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-005-0005-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-005-0005-7

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