[Sudden-onset bilateral hearing loss: case report].

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Otolaryngology
• Vascular Neurology

Background:

• Anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) infarctions commonly present with a constellation of neurological deficits.
• These deficits often include vertigo, hearing loss, facial palsy, nystagmus, and ataxia, indicative of brainstem or cerebellar involvement.

Observation:

• A rare case of sudden-onset bilateral hearing loss is presented.
• This patient exhibited no other accompanying neurological symptoms typically associated with AICA infarction.

Findings:

• The patient was diagnosed with an infarction of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA).
• This diagnosis was made despite the absence of other neurological signs, challenging the conventional presentation of AICA infarction.

Implications:

• This case expands the spectrum of clinical presentations for AICA infarction.
• It underscores the importance of considering AICA infarction even in the presence of isolated auditory symptoms.
• Further research may clarify the specific vascular or anatomical factors leading to isolated auditory deficits in AICA territory strokes.