Auditory Neuropathy Findings Following Microvascular Decompression Surgery for Trigeminal Nerve Neuralgia: A Case Report

Abstract

Microvascular decompression is an established surgical remedy in people suffering from trigeminal neuralgia. Hearing loss secondary to decompression surgeries have been reported in the literature but auditory neuropathy type was rare. Here we present an unusual report of a 35 year old female patient who manifested auditory neuropathy type hearing loss following microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia in the right side. Pure tone audiometry revealed a low frequency hearing loss that returned to normal. Brainstem auditory evoked responses and acoustic reflexes were absent and otoacoustic emissions were present. This case study highlights that auditory neuropathy can also be one of the possible auditory morbidities due to microvascular decompression surgery and emphasizes the importance of intra-operative auditory brainstem monitoring.