A case of bilateral internal auditory canal osteomas.

Osteomas of the skull base are rare, benign, slowly progressing growths of dense cortical bone. Osteomas occurring in the internal auditory canal are extremely rare. These lesions have sometimes been linked with dizziness, sensorineural hearing loss, and/or tinnitus. Although there have been documented cases in which surgical excision has improved these symptoms, symptomatic relief is not always achieved with surgical management. Here we present, to the best of our knowledge, only the third reported case of bilateral osteomas of the internal auditory canal. An 82-year-old woman presented with an acute onset of vertigo without a history of trauma or ear infection. She reported two similar episodes occurring a few years earlier, with symptoms persisting for only a few days. Audiometry showed presbycusis. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging identified bilateral internal auditory canal osteomas. The patient was treated conservatively, monitored, and had complete resolution of her symptoms.