Two Cases of Intracochlear Schwannoma / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

Intracochlear schwannoma is a rare tumor arising from Schwann cells limited to the cochlea. Most of the cases have been found incidentally at autopsies or during surgeries. Today, gadoliniumenhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has made the diagnosis possible before surgical intervention. Intracochlear schwannoma presents unilateral progressive hearing loss, tinnitus or vague unsteadiness, all of which are common otologic symptoms seen in the outpatient department. Therefore, a high index of suspicion to detect this tumor is needed. We report two cases of intracochlear schwannoma: one case was diagnosed at gadolinium-enhanced MRI and removed by modified transotic approach preserving external auditory canal; the other case was followed up closely without the intervention of surgery.