Cystic-solid hemangioblastoma at the cerebellopontine angle: A case report

RATIONALE: Hemangioblastomas (HMGs) originating from the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) are extremely uncommon. Nevertheless, the cystic-solid form of this lesion at the above location is even rarer. PATIENT CONCERNS: We present a 31-years old male with a right ear hearing loss of 3 months duration. He did not experience earache or discharge before the hearing loss. He; however, experienced visual acuity and dizziness. General physical examination did not yield much. DIAGNOSES: Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a cystic-solid mass at right CPA. We initial misdiagnosed the lesion as an acoustic neuroma with cystic changes. Immunohistochemistry studies revealed HMG. INTERVENTIONS: The lesion was total surgical resection via the retro-sigmoid approach. OUTCOMES: The patient's symptomatology resolved after the surgery. Two years follow-up show no recurrence of the lesion and the patient is well. LESIONS: Identification of feeding arteries and electro-coagulating them during the operation minimized intraoperative bleeding. The tumor should usually be dissected out whole and not piece meal fashion. Pre-operative CTA is very useful in outlining the vasculature of the tumor.