[Cavernous hemangioma in internal auditory canal: case report and review of the literature].

Objective: To discuss the diagnosis and treatment of cavernous hemangioma in internal auditory canal (IAC).

Method: One case of cavernous hemangioma in IAC was diagnosed and treated. The clinical data including clinical manifestation, hearing tests, imaging findings and pathology diagnosis were reviewed.

Result: The tumor was totally removed by translabyrinthine approach without any complication, such as facial paralysis or cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea.

Conclusion: Cavernous hemangioma of the IAC have arisen from vascular plexuses surrounding Scarpa's ganglion. It is a rare occupying lesion in IAC of benign nature. Early diagnosis depends on clinical manifestation and imaging findings. Subtle radiographic findings may help in differentiating these lesions from schwannomas. The ultimate diagnosis is made on pathologic examination of the tissues after surgical extirpation.