A Rare Cause of Fluctuant Hearing Loss: Cerebellar Peduncle Cavernoma

Background: Cavernomas are an unusual type of intraparenchymal vascular malformations which are generally located in the cerebral hemispheres, brainstem and midbrain, but they occur rarely within cerebellum. Case Report: A 41-year-old man with cavernoma of the middle cerebellar peduncle and complaints of tinnitus, hearing loss and vertigo was presented. Treatment was initiated with concurrent transtympanic and systemic corticosteroids. It was learned that, two years ago he had suffered from tinnitus, hearing loss and had been diagnosed as idiopathic high frequency hearing loss. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed middle cerebellar peduncle localization of a 15x13 mm cavernoma with subacute hemorrhage. Auditory brainstem response showed lengthened in I-III and III-V interpeak latencies. The patient was managed conservatively. At the end of the third month hearing was improved significantly. Conclusions: Consideration of clinical, audiological and imaging findings together is important for accurate diagnosis in sensorineural hearing loss.