Successful outcome of cochlear implantation in a patient with superficial siderosis.

OBJECTIVE

To present the management of a rare case of progressive bilateral sensorineural hearing loss in a patient with superficial siderosis secondary to a cavernoma.

METHOD: A case report and a review of the literature concerning superficial siderosis.

RESULTS

The patient benefited significantly from a cochlear implantation.

CONCLUSIONS

Careful assessment and adequate counselling is necessary to determine the best approach to hearing rehabilitation in patients with superficial siderosis of the central nervous system. Cochlear implantation in patients with superficial siderosis is controversial due to the retrocochlear origin of the hearing loss and, although the case presented had a successful outcome, the results might deteriorate with time.