Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2013 Dec;56(12):781-783. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2013.56.12.781.

A Case of Arachnoid Cyst Causing Unilateral Sudden Hearing Loss

• Kwak JW
• Lim SJ
• Hong YH
• Mun SK

• KMID: 1798117
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2013.56.12.781

Abstract

Arachnoid cyst develops due to cerebrospinal fluid increase in the subarachnoid space and is mostly located in the middle cranial fossa, which may be associated with non-specific symptoms such as headache, unsteadiness and ataxia. However, it rarely occurs in the posterior cranial fossa and is mostly asymptomatic. When symptoms do develop, they are usually headache and psychomotor retardation, which make diagnosis very difficult. Diagnosis is generally made through magnetic resonance imaging and surgical treatment is indicated for cases where there are displacement and compression of its surrounding neurovascular component, and aggravation of symptoms. We present a case of unilateral sudden hearing loss possibly developing from an arachnoid cyst in the posterior cranial fossa with a review of literatures.

Keyword

Arachnoid cyst; Sudden hearing loss

MeSH Terms

Arachnoid*
Ataxia
Cerebrospinal Fluid
Cranial Fossa, Middle
Cranial Fossa, Posterior
Diagnosis
Headache
Hearing Loss, Sudden*
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Subarachnoid Space