J Korean Radiol Soc.  2008 Aug;59(2):75-81. 10.3348/jkrs.2008.59.2.75.

Relationship of the Area Measurement of the Large Endolymphatic Duct and Sac Syndrome as well as the Clinical Symptoms with CT and MR Imaging Results

• Park JS
• Hong HS
• Lee JS
• Kim DH
• Lee HK
• Yi BH
• Cha JG
• Park SJ
• Kim SC

• KMID: 1479047
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jkrs.2008.59.2.75

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the CT and MRI findings of the large endolymphatic duct or sac syndrome (LEDS) and its associated anomalies, with clinical features.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the MR and CT images of 52 ears obtained from 26 patients with LEDS. We reviewed the clinical findings, audiology testing, and treatment results. The degree of hearing loss was classified from normal to profound, based on pure tone audiometry. The largest areas were measured at each endolymphatic duct and analyzed to determine whether a correlation exists with the degree of hearing loss. We also analyzed the differences in measurements between CT and MRI findings.
RESULTS
All 26 patients had some degree of sensorineural hearing loss, which resulted in 18 ears to undergo a cochlear implantation. One patient was diagnosed with Cornelia de Lange syndrome. Five patients had a sudden hearing loss onset. Ten ears had incomplete cochlear partitions, whereas 28 ears had enlarged vestibules. All patients had severe to profound hearing loss. We found no statistical correlation between the size of the largest area of the endolymphatic duct and the degree of hearing loss. The mean area of the endolymphatic ducts, as per an MRI examination, revealed slightly greater areas than the CT findings, although the differences were not significant.
CONCLUSION
Enlarged vestibules and incomplete partitions of the cochlea were common anomalies associated with LEDS. We found no statistical correlation between the largest area of the endolymphatic duct or sac with the degree of hearing loss.

Keyword

Computed tomography (CT); Magnetic resonance (MR); Ear, inner; Endolymphatic duct; Hearing loss

MeSH Terms

Audiology
Audiometry
Cochlea
Cochlear Implantation
Cochlear Implants
De Lange Syndrome
Ear
Ear, Inner
Endolymphatic Duct
Hearing Loss
Hearing Loss, Sensorineural
Hearing Loss, Sudden
Humans
Retrospective Studies