Subarcuate venous malformation causing audio-vestibular symptoms similar to those in superior canal dehiscence syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

To present a patient with symptoms similar to those of superior canal dehiscence syndrome due to another cause.

STUDY DESIGN

Case report.

SETTING

University hospital, tertiary referral center.

PATIENT

The 65-year-old woman had suffered for 4 years from hearing loss, tinnitus, and pressure-induced vertigo.

INTERVENTION

Audio-vestibular testing, high-resolution computed tomography, and magnetic resonance angiography.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The superior canal dehiscence syndrome is caused by failure of normal postnatal bone development in the middle cranial fossa leading to absence of bone at the most superior part of the superior semicircular canal. The typical features for this syndrome are sound and pressure-induced vertigo with torsional eye movements, pulse synchronous tinnitus and apparent conductive hearing loss in spite of normal middle ear function. We present a patient with very similar symptoms and findings, who instead had a superior canal dehiscence close to the common crus. Neuroradiologic findings suggested that the dehiscence was related to a venous malformation.

CONCLUSIONS

Symptoms and findings suggesting superior canal dehiscence syndrome can have a different cause.