A case of abducens neurinoma mimicking acoustic neurinoma

Neurinoma arising from the abducens nerve independent of neurofibromatosis has been rarely reported in the existing literature. We present a case of abducens neurinoma which was confirmed during a surgical excision. A 31-year-old female had experienced a hearing disturbance for the past 8 months. Abduction of the right eye ball was almost full. Magnetic resonance images showed a tumor having a size of 44 x 33 X 33 mm at the right cerebellopontine angle. Neuro-otological examination revealed the findings specific to acoustic neurinoma. Surgical excision confirmed that the tumor originated from the abducens nerve. The tumor located at the cavernous sinus or cerebellopontine angle might originate from the abducens nerve, though the abduction of eye ball is not in any way impaired.