A posterior petrous meningioma with recurrent vertigo

Neurological vertigo in the emergency room in pediatric and adult age: systematic literature review and proposal for a diagnostic algorithm

Neurological vertigo is a common symptom in children and adults presenting to the emergency department (ED) and its evaluation may be challenging, requiring often the intervention of different medical specialties. When vertigo is associated with other specific symptoms or signs, a differential diagnosis may be easier. Conversely, if the patient exhibits isolated vertigo, the diagnostic approach becomes complex and only through a detailed history, a complete physical examination and specific tests the clinician can reach the correct diagnosis. Approach to vertigo in ED is considerably different in children and adults due to the differences in incidence and prevalence of the various causes. The aim of this systematic review is to describe the etiopathologies of neurological vertigo in childhood and adulthood, highlighting the characteristics and the investigations that may lead clinicians to a proper diagnosis. Finally, this review aims to develop an algorithm that could represent a valid diagnostic support for emergency physicians in approaching patients with isolated vertigo, both in pediatric and adult age.

Posterior petrous face meningiomas presenting with Ménière's-like syndrome: a case series and review of the literature

OBJECTIVE

Ménière's disease is an inner ear disorder classically characterized by fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus, and aural fullness accompanied by episodic vertigo. While the pathogenesis of Ménière's remains under debate, histopathological analyses implicate endolymphatic sac dysfunction with inner ear fluid homeostatic dysregulation. Little is known about whether external impingement of the endolymphatic sac by tumors may present with Ménière's-like symptoms. The authors present a case series of 7 patients with posterior fossa meningiomas that involved the endolymphatic sac and new onset of Ménière's-like symptoms and review the literature on this rare clinical entity.

METHODS

A retrospective review of patients undergoing resection of a posterior petrous meningioma was performed at the authors' institution. Inclusion criteria were age older than 18 years; patients presenting with Ménière's-like symptoms, including episodic vertigo, aural fullness, tinnitus, and/or hearing loss; and tumor location overlying the endolymphatic sac.

RESULTS

There were 7 cases of posterior petrous face meningiomas involving the vestibular aperture presenting with Ménière's-like symptoms. Imaging and intraoperative examination confirmed no cranial nerve VIII compression or labyrinthine artery involvement accounting for audiovestibular symptoms. Of the 7 patients in the series, 6 experienced significant improvement or resolution of their vertigo, and all 7 had improvement or resolution of their tinnitus after resection. Of the 5 patients who had preoperative hearing loss, 2 experienced improvement or resolution of their ipsilateral preoperative hearing deficit, whereas the other 3 had unchanged hearing loss compared to preoperative evaluation.

CONCLUSIONS

Petrous face meningiomas overlying the endolymphatic sac can present with a Ménière's syndrome. Early recognition and microsurgical excision of these tumors is critical for resolution of most symptoms and stabilization of hearing loss.

A Genetic Murine Model of Endolymphatic Hydrops: The Phex Mouse

Animal models of endolymphatic hydrops (ELH) provide critical insight into the pathophysiology of Meniere's disease (MD). A new genetic murine model, called the Phex mouse, circumvents prior need for a time and cost-intensive surgical procedure to create ELH. The Phex mouse model of ELH, which also has X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets, creates a postnatal, spontaneous, and progressive ELH whose phenotype has a predictable decline of vestibular and hearing function reminiscent of human MD. The Phex mouse enables real-time histopathologic analysis to assess diagnostic and therapeutic interventions as well as further our understanding of ELH's adverse effects. Already the model has validated electrocochleography and cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential as useful diagnostic tools. New data on caspase activity in apoptosis of the spiral ganglion neurons may help target future therapeutic interventions. This paper highlights the development of the Phex mouse model and highlights its role in characterizing ELH.