Chiari I malformation presenting with hearing loss: surgical treatment and literature review.

Publication/Presentation Date

9-1-2008

Abstract

OBJECTS: Chiari I malformations can present with a number of clinical signs and symptoms.

METHODS: We present a case of an 11-year-old girl that presented with significant sensorineural hearing loss as her only Chiari-related symptom. The patient had four audiograms that all demonstrated progressive bilateral hearing loss between 10 and 30 dB. On magnetic resonance scan, the patient was found to have a Chiari I malformation. The patient had 9 mm of tonsillar herniation but no syrinx or hydrocephalus was present. On exam, the patient did not exhibit any other symptoms of her Chiari malformation or cranial nerve abnormalities other than sensorineural hearing loss. The patient underwent a suboccipital craniotomy, C1 laminectomy, and duraplasty. The patient noted a subjective improvement in hearing and an audiogram performed at 3 months postoperatively demonstrated normal hearing bilaterally.

CONCLUSIONS: Sensorineural hearing loss may be caused by Chiari I malformations. This symptom may improve following decompression.

Volume

24

Issue

9

First Page

1063

Last Page

1066

ISSN

0256-7040

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

18542971

Department(s)

Department of Medicine, Division of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery

Document Type

Article

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