Objective: To catalog a series of rare lesions of the posterior fossa that appeared with unusual initial retrocochlear symptoms and signs and to make the reader more aware of these unusual lesions with a view to improving initial assessment and treatment planning.
Study design: The study was a retrospective case review of seven patients.
Setting: Multidisciplinary team evaluation in a tertiary hospital referral center.
Patients: Patients with unusual lesions of the cerebellopontine angle and posterior fossa with initial retrocochlear symptoms and signs were included.
Interventions: Diagnostic and therapeutic.
Main outcome measures: Hearing preservation and balance function.
Results: The rare lesions presented include two aneurysms of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery, one giant basilar artery aneurysm, and one each of the following neoplasms: endodermal cyst, choroid plexus papilloma, cavernous angioma, and ependymoma.
Conclusions: A close working relationship among the otolaryngologist, neurotologist, neurosurgeon, and neuroradiologist is necessary to accurately evaluate these unusual cerebellopontine angle lesions and effect the best treatment outcome.