Viewpoints on the Management of Retrocochlear Lesions in Connection with a Case Report: A Tumour Originating from the Glossopharyngeal Nerve

Abstract

In 1949 Olivecrona stated that further progress in the management of acoustic tumours could be expected only after progress in the ability of non-neurosurgeons to recognize early tumours. Thus a medical problem was faced which was rather well solved in its neurosurgical aspects, yet to otologists remained a challenge to clinical research. The author's work revealed that it was possible for the otologist to consider the overall picture of these cases. The next step was the development of hearing tests to differentiate the hearing loss concerning site of lesion. A further step was the development of otomicroscopic surgical approaches to the inner meatus. Otology and neurosurgery have thus been characterized by the development of the management of acoustic tumours with continuously increasing responsibility for the otologist. The next step of development is expected within otology and audiology: the creation of diagnostic methods, making it possible to detect the early tumour situated within the inner meatus and thus favorable to extirpation.