Caroticochlear dehiscence-induced Tullio phenomena cured by vestibular neurectomy

Abstract

Caroticochlear Dehiscence (CCD) is a rare condition characterized by thinning or absence of the bony separation between the internal carotid artery and the cochlea. Patients with CCD experience Tullio phenomena secondary to the third window. In this case report, we describe a female patient who was found to have right-side CCD with the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) loop around the right cochlear nerve, which was managed surgically with a vestibular neurectomy and mobilization of the AICA loop.Through this case report, we postulate that Vestibular neurectomy is a very effective treatment modality to relieve debilitating vertigo in ears with third window phenomena, whose surgical repair would be highly risky while preserving residual hearing levels.

Keywords

• Carotid-cochlear dehiscence (CCD)
• Internal carotid artery (ICA)
• Vestibular neurectomy