Diagnostic yield of high-resolution computed tomography for pediatric sensorineural hearing loss.

Abstract

In recent years, relatively subtle inner ear anomalies have become apparent using high-resolution computed tomography (CT). The purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic yield of high-resolution CT for pediatric sensorineural hearing loss (HL) (SNHL). A review was performed on the records of all children (<18 y of age) who had undergone CT of the temporal bones over a 5-year period, since the introduction of current CT techniques. Three hundred eighty-three studies were performed in 351 subjects. The indication for the CT was SNHL or mixed HL in 157 children. Forty-nine (31%) of these studies revealed significant inner ear findings. Large vestibular aqueducts (LVAs) were reported in 15%, commonly in association with cochlear modiolar deficiencies. Modiolar deficiencies (11%) and other cochlear dysplasias (12%) followed LVA in frequency. The incidence of inner ear dysplasia in children with perinatal or postnatal risk factors was only slightly lower than those without (22% vs. 32%, P > .05). The rate of dysplasias did not correlate with SNHL severity, pattern of HL, or type of HL (mixed vs. sensorineural). These findings suggest that radiographic imaging has a relatively high diagnostic yield in children with SNHL. These findings may be of value in counseling patients and guiding the management of their SNHL.