Abrupt Onset of Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Tinnitus in a Patient with Capillary Telangiectasia of the Pons

Brain capillary telangiectasias: from normal variants to disease

BACKGROUND

Brain capillary telangiectasias (BCTs) are small, dilated capillary networks in the brain that are most commonly asymptomatic. Though rare, symptomatic cases of BCTs have been reported, and it is therefore important to understand the nature of these lesions in order to facilitate proper recognition. Relative to other intracranial vascular malformations, updated information on the various epidemiologic, radiographic, and pathologic features of BCTs within the published literature may be inadequate.

METHODS

We searched the PubMed database for prior reports of symptomatically-manifested BCTs. Moreover, Google Scholar and PubMed were searched in order to review current epidemiologic, radiographic, pathologic, and pathogenetic features of BCTs.

RESULTS

Forty-eight published studies were included for a total of 99 individual cases of BCTs with symptomatic manifestations. Thirty-three symptomatic BCTs were hemorrhagic in nature, while 66 were non-hemorrhagic. The mean age at presentation of hemorrhagic lesions was 25.5 years, and the most common location was the supratentorial CNS (54.5%) with motor disturbance representing the most commonly encountered presenting symptom (26.1%). 15.2% of hemorrhagic lesions were treated with surgical removal. In non-hemorrhagic lesions, the mean age at presentation was 39.8 years with the pons being the most common lesion location (78.5%) and headache being the most common presenting symptom (22.2%). 12.1% of patients with non-hemorrhagic lesions were treated with surgical removal.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite their rarity, symptomatic BCTs, both hemorrhagic and non-hemorrhagic, can cause devastating neurological sequelae, potentially through multiple mechanisms. The large majority of these lesions do not require intervention, though surgical removal has been achieved with good outcome in select cases. Further documentation of symptomatic manifestations with or without surgical intervention is vital in order to further understand the clinical, surgical, and pathogenic implications of these less-appreciated vascular malformations.

Symptomatic large or giant capillary telangiectasias: management and outcome in 5 cases

Brain capillary telangiectasias (BCTs) are usually small and benign with a predilection in the pons and basal ganglion. Reports of large and symptomatic BCTs are rare. Large BCTs have a much higher risk of causing uncontrolled bleeding and severe neurological defects, and they can be fatal if left untreated. Therefore, large BCTs should be managed with special caution. Because of the lack of reports, diagnosis of large BCTs has been difficult. Strategies of management are undefined for large or giant BCTs.

The current study presents 5 cases of giant and large BCTs. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the largest series of this disease ever reported. Radiological findings, histopathological characteristics, clinical presentations, and surgical management were analyzed in 5 symptomatic, unusually large BCTs (mean diameter 5.06 cm, range 1.8–8 cm).

Four patients presented with focal or generalized seizures, and 1 patient presented with transient vision loss attributed to the lesions. Gross-total resection of the lesion was achieved in all patients. After surgery, the 4 patients with seizures were symptom free for follow-up periods varying from more than 1 to 5 years with no additional neurological deficits.

The unique location, radiological characteristics, and clinical course suggest that giant BCTs could be a different entity from small BCTs. Surgery might be a good option for treatment of patients with intractable neurological symptoms, especially in those with surgically accessible locations. Complete removal would be anticipated to provide relief of the symptoms without causing new neurological deficits.

Auditory dysfunction in patients with cerebrovascular disease

Auditory dysfunction is a common clinical symptom that can induce profound effects on the quality of life of those affected. Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) is the most prevalent neurological disorder today, but it has generally been considered a rare cause of auditory dysfunction. However, a substantial proportion of patients with stroke might have auditory dysfunction that has been underestimated due to difficulties with evaluation. The present study reviews relationships between auditory dysfunction and types of CVD including cerebral infarction, intracerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, cerebrovascular malformation, moyamoya disease, and superficial siderosis. Recent advances in the etiology, anatomy, and strategies to diagnose and treat these conditions are described. The numbers of patients with CVD accompanied by auditory dysfunction will increase as the population ages. Cerebrovascular diseases often include the auditory system, resulting in various types of auditory dysfunctions, such as unilateral or bilateral deafness, cortical deafness, pure word deafness, auditory agnosia, and auditory hallucinations, some of which are subtle and can only be detected by precise psychoacoustic and electrophysiological testing. The contribution of CVD to auditory dysfunction needs to be understood because CVD can be fatal if overlooked.

Pontine capillary telangiectasia as visualized on MR imaging causing a clinical picture resembling basilar-type migraine: a case report

A case of presumed pontine capillary telangiectasia in an 18-year-old woman with a clinical diagnosis of basilar-type migraine is reported. Since both are very rare diagnoses, this case provides some evidence to suggest that pontine capillary telangiectasia might cause a clinical picture resembling basilar-type migraine.