Cerebellopontine angle and internal auditory canal lipomas: report of four cases and review of the literature

• Published in: Acta otorrinolaringológica española Vol. 55; no. 3; p. 126
• Main Authors: Rodríguez Prado, N, Llorente Pendás, J L, Gómez Martínez, J R, Fernández Martínez, J A, Díaz Argüero, J J, Aldama Barahona, P, Suárez Nieto, C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Spain 01.03.2004
• Subjects: Adult; Cerebellar Neoplasms - diagnosis; Cerebellopontine Angle; Ear Neoplasms - diagnosis; Female; Humans; Labyrinth Diseases - diagnosis; Lipoma - diagnosis; Male; Middle Aged
• ISSN: 0001-6519
• DOI: 10.1016/s0001-6519(04)78495-2

Lipomas are exceptional tumors at the Cerebellopontine Angle (CPA) or the Internal Auditory Canal (IAC). We evaluate clinical, histological and radiological characteristics of the cases diagnosed in our Hospital and the results of conservative versus surgical treatment. We report 4 cases of CPA and/or IAC and review 99 previously reported in the literature. Unilateral tinnitus was the most frequent symptom (100%). All lesions showed hyperintensity on T1 and hypo/isointensity on T2--weighted MNR images. Two patients underwent a retro-sigmoidal approach without complete tumoral resection and with additional neurological consequences. Another two cases were followed up by annual MNRs. During the follow-up period (4.2 years average), neither clinical nor radiological changes were detected. The surgical resection of CPA y/o IAC lipomas is associated to a significant morbidity due to the high vascularization and the dense adherence of these lesions to the surrounding tissues. The MNR is the suitable technique for differential diagnosis between lesions at this location.