Children with unilateral cochlear nerve canal stenosis have bilateral cochleovestibular anomalies

Laryngoscope. 2019 Oct;129(10):2403-2408. doi: 10.1002/lary.27559. Epub 2018 Oct 23.

Abstract

Objectives/hypothesis: To investigate the cochleovestibular apparatus bilaterally in children with isolated unilateral bony cochlear nerve canal (bCNC) stenosis.

Study design: Retrospective review.

Methods: Imaging studies of children with unilateral bCNC stenosis (<1.0 mm) on computed tomography imaging (N = 36) were compared with controls imaged due to trauma without temporal bone injury (N = 32). Twenty-six measurements were obtained in each ear, assessing the bony internal auditory canal (IAC), cochlea, and vestibular end-organs, and were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance for intersubject comparisons and paired t tests for intrasubject comparisons with a Bonferroni adjustment for multiple comparisons (P = .0006).

Results: Patients with bCNC stenosis had a smaller IAC (P < .000) and cochlea (P < .000) on the stenotic side as compared with controls. Although the vestibular end-organ was also smaller in bCNC ears, this difference was not significant. The contralateral ear also had a smaller bCNC (P < .000) and cochlea (P < .000) as compared with controls, although to a lesser degree than the stenotic side.

Conclusions: Children with unilateral bCNC stenosis have abnormal biometry of both the cochlea and the vestibular end-organ in the affected and the normal contralateral ear as compared with controls.

Level of evidence: 3b Laryngoscope, 129:2403-2408, 2019.

Keywords: Cochlear nerve canal; biometry; computed tomography imaging; deafness; pediatric; temporal bone; unilateral hearing loss.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cochlea / abnormalities*
  • Cochlea / diagnostic imaging
  • Cochlear Nerve / diagnostic imaging
  • Cochlear Nerve / pathology*
  • Constriction, Pathologic / diagnostic imaging
  • Constriction, Pathologic / etiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*
  • Vestibule, Labyrinth / abnormalities*
  • Vestibule, Labyrinth / diagnostic imaging
  • Vestibulocochlear Nerve Diseases / congenital
  • Vestibulocochlear Nerve Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Vestibulocochlear Nerve Diseases / pathology*

Grants and funding