Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2018 Jan;61(1):9-14. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2017.00283.

Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evaluation in Pediatric Unilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss

• Lee SA
• Lee SK
• Sun SW
• Jung JH
• Lee JD
• Kim BG

• KMID: 2436419
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2017.00283

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Children with unilateral sensorineural hearing loss (USNHL) are not actively evaluated by physicians. The diagnostic tool for evaluation of USNHL is also controversial, and no strategy for diagnosing USNHL through imaging studies has been established. We examined the results of temporal bone computed tomography (TBCT) imaging and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies on children with USNHL.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
Eighty-nine patients with USNHL were reviewed. Of these patients, 21 underwent both TBCT and MRI, 51 underwent temporal MRI only, and 17 underwent TBCT only.
RESULTS
The etiology of USNHL were determined through imaging studies in 20 patients. The most common abnormal finding (65%) was a narrow internal auditory canal identified on TBCT and cochlear nerve aplasia on temporal MRI. Incomplete partition (20%), common cavity (10%), and labyrinthitis ossificans (5%) were also observed in imaging studies. The hearing threshold was lower in USNHL patients with normal findings (76.1±28.7 dB) than in USNHL patients with abnormal findings on TBCT or temporal MRI (100.1±22.3 dB).
CONCLUSION
Cochlear and cochlear nerve abnormalities can be detected through imaging studies in approximately 25% of patients with USNHL. Therefore, we suggest that children should undergo TBCT when USNHL is confirmed through audiologic evaluation.

Keyword

Hearing loss; Magnetic resonance imaging; Sensorineural; Temporal bone computed tomography; Unilateral

MeSH Terms

Child
Cochlear Nerve
Ear, Inner
Hearing
Hearing Loss
Hearing Loss, Sensorineural*
Humans
Labyrinthitis
Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
Methods
Temporal Bone