Nagła głuchota jako objaw osłoniaka nerwu VIII

It is generally known, that sudden hearing loss may be the first symptom in 10% cases of acoustic neuroma. Since January 2011 till June 2013, in the Otolaryngology Department of Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 87 patients with idiopatic sudden hearing loss were being treated. We performed audiological examination including pure tone audiometry, tympanometry, auditory brainstem responses (ABR), electronystagmography (ENG). In case of any abnormalities in the ABR, patients were sent for MRI examination, regardless of the results of treatment. Group of patients sent for MRI included all 29 patients with ABR examination abnormalities and 12 patients without improvement of hearing (even if the ABR results were good). Results of MRI examination showed 5 cases of acoustic neuroma (5.7% of focus group). It is interesting, that two patients had major hearing improvement and only ABR examination results helped to recognize vestibular Shwannoma. This research proved high usefulness of ABR examination. Each patient with sudden hearing loss and abnormalities in ABR results should be sent for MRI examination.