Simultaneous cochlear implantation during resection of a cerebellopontine angle meningioma: case report

Abstract

Cerebellopontine angle (CPA) meningiomas commonly involve the internal auditory canal (IAC). We report a case of a 68-year-old lady with idiopathic profound bilateral deafness with a meningioma which was discovered on workup for cochlear implantation. We performed simultaneous excision of her CPA and IAC meningioma with insertion of a cochlear implant (CI). She regained functional hearing with marked improvement in quality of life. Intraoperative electrophysiological testing can be used to confirm preservation of the cochlear nerve enabling simultaneous implantation which is preferable for clinical and logistical reasons. This creates an option for hearing rehabilitation at the time of IAC/CPA tumour surgery in appropriate patients.

Keywords:

• Meningioma
• Cerebellopontine angle
• Cerebellopontine angle tumours
• Cochlear implant
• Internal auditory canal
• Hearing
• intraoperative cochlear nerve monitoring

Disclosure statement

All authors certify that they have NO affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest (such as honoraria; educational grants; participation in speakers’ bureaus; membership, employment, consultancies, stock ownership, or other equity interest; and expert testimony or patent-licensing arrangements), or non-financial interest (such as personal or professional relationships, affiliations, knowledge or beliefs) in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

Patient consent statement

Patient Consent-The patient has consented to the submission of the case report for submission to the journal.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Samuel Roberts

Dr Samuel Roberts, He is an ENT/Head and Neck surgeon based in regional Australia with an academic interest in ear surgery, head and neck cancer and improving pathways for disadvantaged patients to access high level care.

Richard Ferch

Dr Richard Ferch is a Neurosurgeon based in Newcastle, NSW, Australia.

Robert Eisenberg

Robert Eisenberg is a conjoint associate professor of surgery, writes on both otorhinolaryngology and head and neck surgery disease and treatment and also on cochlear implantation and associated neurophysiological plasticity. Among his related publications are Simultaneous cochlear implantation and removal of acoustic neuroma: implications for hearing (The Journal of Laryngology & Otology 2020), Confirmation of cochlear nerve preservation during acoustic neuroma resection with MED-EL cochlear test electrode. (Journal of Hearing Science 2018) and the book A Guide to Temporal Bone Dissection (Smith and Nephew 1997).