台耳醫誌

Cases of arachnoid cyst (AC) in the intracranial fossa manifesting as sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) are extremely rare in adolescents. Herein, we described the case of a 16-year-old girl who presented with the sole symptom of SSNHL in the right ear for 7 days. The initial average pure tone audiometry (PTA) results were 95 dB in the right ear and 13 dB in the left ear. Magnetic resonance imaging scans of the brain revealed an AC in the right cerebellopontine angle (CPA) that was compressing the surrounding tissue. An oral corticosteroid was prescribed for 3 weeks, and the average PTA in the right ear recovered to 16 dB. After medical treatment, the hearing level of the right ear was nearly the same as that of the left ear, except at the frequencies of 500 and 750 Hz. A neurosurgeon was consulted, and observation was recommended. The effectiveness of medical treatment, disease recurrence rate, and timing of AC excision remain undetermined in adolescents presenting with AC in the CPA manifesting as SSNHL. Meticulous explanations must be given to caregivers and regular radiologic surveillance must be conducted for such nonsurgery young patients. (J Taiwan Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2026; 60:121-127)