A case report: The cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen evaluated by 15O positron emission tomography may predict the recovery of cortical deafness due to bilateral cerebral hemorrhage.

Cortical deafness is a rare central auditory disorder resulting in severe hearing loss. It is caused by bilateral damage to the auditory cortex, auditory radiation, or medial geniculate body. We herein report a case of cortical deafness recovery caused by left thalamic hemorrhage following right putaminal hemorrhage. The evaluation of the cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2) using 15O positron emission tomography (15O-PET) at the onset helped predict the functional outcomes. A CMRO2 evaluation using 15O-PET was valuable for predicting the outcome of cortical deafness. We should remain aware of the possibility of cortical deafness in stroke patients with bilateral temporal lobe lesions, basal ganglia lesions near auditory tracts, or brainstem lesions, including those with preexisting lesions.