J Audiol Otol.  2023 Oct;27(4):240-245. 10.7874/jao.2023.00241.

Sudden Hearing Loss and Vertigo With Silent Pontine Infarction: A Case Report

• Jeong JY
• Byun H
• Lee SH
• Chung JH

• KMID: 2546919
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7874/jao.2023.00241

Abstract

Most cases of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) occur without a specific identifiable cause, although vascular factors may serve as potential etiological contributors. Silent infarction refers to ischemic changes observed on imaging studies without accompanying clinical symptoms; however, this condition is clinically significant owing to the increased risk of future stroke. We report a case of left-sided SSNHL accompanied by dizziness in a 62-year-old male patient who was diagnosed with left pontine infarction without any other neurological symptoms. The cochlea and pons receive blood supply from the anterior inferior cerebellar artery; the cochlea lacks collateral vessels and is therefore susceptible to fluctuations in blood flow. This case report provides evidence to support the vascular hypothesis as the etiology underlying SSNHL

Keyword

Hearing loss, sudden; Brain stem infarctions; Pons