Meningeal carcinomatosis: an unusual cause of deafness.

Meningeal carcinomatosis is the diffuse infiltration of the meninges by metastatic carcinoma. Patients usually have a known underlying malignancy, but primary presentation can be with symptoms of meningeal involvement. The cases are reported of two patients who presented with sensorineural hearing loss. The roles of gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and cerebrospinal fluid cytology in reaching the diagnosis are discussed.