Intracochlear Schwannoma

Intralabyrinthine schwannomas are benign, slow-growing tumors that originate from Schwann cells lining the terminal ends of the cochlear and vestibular nerves. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with gadolinium is considered the best diagnostic tool for this disease. Kennedy et al proposed a classification system, based upon the MRI observations, that identifies seven different classes according to the site of the tumor: intravestibular, intracochlear, intravestibulocochlear, transmodiolar, transmacular, transotic, and tympanolabyrinthine. A case of a patient undergoing a 2-year follow-up with serial MRI and managed with a wait-and-see strategy is described. The rationale of the diagnosis and the different treatments of choice are discussed.