Reversible pure word deafness due to inferior colliculi compression by a pineal germinoma in a young adult

Publication

Reversible pure word deafness due to inferior colliculi compression by a pineal germinoma in a young adult

Journal Paper/Review - Sep 9, 2015

Joswig Holger, Schönenberger U, Brügge Detlef, Richter Heiko, Surbeck Werner

Units

Neurochirurgie, Hals-Nasen-Ohrenklinik , Department of Radiation Oncology

Keywords

Auditory agnosia; Inferior colliculus; Pineal germinoma; Pure word deafness; Quadrigeminal plate

Doi

10.1016

Contact

Holger Joswig

Citation

Joswig H, Schönenberger U, Brügge D, Richter H, Surbeck W. Reversible pure word deafness due to inferior colliculi compression by a pineal germinoma in a young adult. Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery 2015; 139:62-65.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery 2015; 139

Publication Date

Sep 9, 2015

Pages

62-65

Brief description/objective

We report a clinical case of a 19-year-old male patient who developed pure word deafness due to the local compressive effect of a pineal germinoma on the inferior colliculi of the quadrigeminal plate. After percutaneous radiation therapy the size of the tumor decreased significantly, while audiometry demonstrated a complete regression of the auditory deficit. Since pure word deafness is commonly attributed to temporal lesions, the inferior colliculi represent an exceptional site for these symptoms. The pathophysiological background and the scarce literature on pure word deafness, especially the one related to neoplasms of the tectal region, are briefly discussed.