Case report: Cochlear implantation for deafness caused by endolymphatic sac tumors in patients with von Hippel-Lindau syndrome

Front Oncol. 2024 Nov 13:14:1443370. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1443370. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

Introduction: Endolymphatic sac tumors (ELSTs) are rare neuroectodermal neoplasms that originate in the endolymphatic sac and duct. They exhibit no specific age or gender predilection, although they are more prevalent in patients with von Hippel-Lindau syndrome.

Material and methods: The manuscript preparation adhered to the CARE guidelines for standardizing clinical cases and the PRISMA guidelines for scientific reviews. Three studies that met the inclusion criteria were selected from an analysis of 15 articles, supplemented by two additional studies identified through citation review.

Results: The presented case describes a 16-year-old boy diagnosed with unilateral sensorineural hearing loss secondary to bilateral ELST. Surgical excision of the right ear tumor with simultaneous cochlear implantation was performed, followed by left ear surgery. Hearing restoration was achieved in the implanted right ear, with normal hearing in the left ear, and no postoperative vestibular symptoms were observed.

Conclusion: Prompt surgical intervention remains the cornerstone of ELST treatment. While cochlear implantation is sporadically reported in scientific literature, it offers a potential option for hearing improvement in patients suffering from deafness caused by the disease.

Keywords: cochlear implant; deafness; endolymphatic sac tumor; hearing loss; von Hippel–Lindau.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

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The author(s) declare that no financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.