Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2plfb Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-22T21:55:27.520Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Imaging case study: enlarged superior vestibular nerve canal with sensorineural hearing loss

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 May 2008

M I Redleaf ,
J M Pinto  and
J J Klemens
M I Redleaf*
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, Section of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Chicago, Illinois, USA
J M Pinto
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, Section of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Chicago, Illinois, USA
J J Klemens
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, Section of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Chicago, Illinois, USA
*
Address for correspondence: Dr M Redleaf, 5841 S Maryland Ave, MC 1035, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA. E-mail: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective:

We report a new temporal bone anomaly – an enlarged superior vestibular nerve canal – associated with sensorineural hearing loss.

Case report:

A 10-month-old male infant presented with sensorineural hearing loss together with bilaterally enlarged superior vestibular nerve canals. Compared with published temporal bone computed tomography measurements, our patient's canals were normal in length but approximately double the normal width. In addition, careful review of the imaging did not clearly identify a bony wedge between the superior and inferior vestibular nerve canals.

Conclusion:

Enlarged superior vestibular nerve canal malformation may be a marker for sensorineural hearing loss. Increased vigilance amongst otologists may establish the prevalence of this anomaly and its possible effects on hearing.

Keywords

Superior Vestibular Nerve CanalTemporal BoneAnatomyMalformationSensorineural Hearing Loss
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 123 , Issue 5 , May 2009 , pp. 572 - 574
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2008

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1 Schuknecht, HF. Pathology of the Ear. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger Press, 1993;115–89Google Scholar
2 Valvassori, GI, Mafee, MF, Carter, BL. Imaging of the Head and Neck. Stuttgart: Thieme, 1995;42–51Google Scholar
3 Goebel, JA, O'Mara, W, Gianoli, G. Anatomic considerations in vestibular neuritis. Otol Neurotol 2001;22:512–18CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4 Gianoli, G, Goebel, J, Mowry, S, Poomipannit, P. Anatomic differences in the lateral vestibular nerve channels and their implications in vestibular neuritis. Otol Neurotol 2005;26:489–94CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed