Reversible pure word deafness due to inferior colliculi compression by a pineal germinoma in a young adult

• Pure word deafness is a very rare symptom associated with neoplasms.
• Inferior colliculi compression manifested in pure word deafness.
• Auditory pathways bypassing the lateral lemniscus may serve as an explanation.
• Pure word deafness may not reflect a single pathophysiological mechanism.

We report a clinical case of a 19-year-old male patient who developed pure word deafness due to the local compressive effect of a pineal germinoma on the inferior colliculi of the quadrigeminal plate. After percutaneous radiation therapy the size of the tumor decreased significantly, while audiometry demonstrated a complete regression of the auditory deficit. Since pure word deafness is commonly attributed to temporal lesions, the inferior colliculi represent an exceptional site for these symptoms. The pathophysiological background and the scarce literature on pure word deafness, especially the one related to neoplasms of the tectal region, are briefly discussed.