The Audiologic Signs of Ninth Nerve Neurinoma

Abstract

THERE is now convincing evidence that audiologic test results cannot, in themselves, provide an adequate basis for the diagnosis of eighth nerve tumors. However, there remains a persistent notion that positive results will not lead to an erroneous diagnosis. This is to say that positive audiologic results will not be obtained unless an acoustic tumor is, in fact, present. This report concerns a case of severely impaired auditory function which returned to normal upon removal of a ninth cranial neurinoma. The patient exhibited many of the audiologic features presumed to be characteristic of eighth cranial nerve tumors; therefore, the clinical observations in this case may be of value in clarifying the responsible pathological mechanism and in illustrating that, although positive auditory test results may strongly suggest a cerebellopontine tumor, they need not necessarily indicate a lesion of the eighth nerve. <h3>Report of a Case</h3> A 49-year-old white housewife was admitted