Multicystic acoustic neurinoma: report of two cases

A report of two unusual and remarkably similar cases of multicystic acoustic neurinoma in 46 and 60 year old patients is presented. The clinical presentation mimicked a regular acoustic neurinoma. The tumours in each case were similar in their radiological appearance. The entire tumour had a honeycomb appearance with well defined and multiple cysts. Each cyst contained xanthochromic fluid. Like in any other cystic acoustic neurinoma, the presence of multiple cysts made internal decompression of the tumour relatively easy but the dissection of the tumour from the adjoining cranial nerves was difficult. The pathogenesis of multiple cysts is analyzed and the literature on this subject is briefly reviewed.