Pineal region tumor manifesting initially as hearing impairment

Abstract

An 18-year-old male presented with a pineal region germinoma with hearing impairment as the chief complaint. Magnetic resonance image demonstrated a well-enhanced multi-cystic tumor extending into the upper fourth ventricle and wall of the bilateral lateral ventricles. Audiometry revealed bilateral mild hearing impairment in the low frequencies. Auditory brainstem response recording showed low amplitudes in all waves (IV-V/I ratio < 1) with prolong latencies (I-V and III-V) on the right but no discernable wave at 60 dB clicks on left. Hearing impairment and audiometric findings were improved after ventriculoperitoneal shunt operation. The hearing impairment appeared to be a mixed (conductive and sensorineural) type. The tumor was responsible for the sensorineural deafness because of invasion and compression of the central auditory structures. The inferior brachium was maximally compressed anterolaterally by the dilated bilateral lateral ventricles and posteromedially by the tumor. Hydrocephalus caused conductive deafness by halting or arresting the footplate of stapes movement, as a consequence of high-pressure transmission through the cochlear aqueduct.