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A Unified Methodological Framework for Vestibular Schwannoma Research
Published on: June 20, 2017
Isolated cochlear neuritis from varicella reactivation mimicking a vestibular schwannoma
Adam D Goodale1, Justin S Golub2, Rebecca S Cornelius3
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
Abstract:
We present a case of a patient with progressive unilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus with internal auditory canal enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) secondary to isolated cochlear neuritis from varicella reactivation. MRI following antiviral treatment showed resolution of enhancement. Varicella reactivation is commonly seen in the form of Ramsay Hunt syndrome, which is known to produce abnormal MRI enhancement from facial and vestibulocochlear neuritis; however, its characteristic clinical signs aid the diagnosis. This case is unique in that the only manifestation of varicella infection was unilateral hearing loss. This case outlines the importance of maintaining a broad differential diagnosis in the evaluation of unilateral hearing loss as well as recognizing the limited specificity of MRI.
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