Neuromuscular hamartoma of the cochlear nerve: a rare occurrence in the internal auditory meatus.

The authors present a case of neuromuscular hamartoma of the cochlear nerve, an unusual occurrence in the internal auditory meatus (IAM). A review of the literature shows no previous report of neuromuscular hamartoma of the cochlear nerve. This tumour was clinically and radiologically difficult to distinguish from acoustic neuroma. It is important to consider the diagnosis of these rare small tumours pre-operatively, as it may be appropriate to manage this conservatively.