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Published on: February 29, 2020
[Pericochlear hypodensity on CT: normal variant in childhood]
P de Brito1, J P Metais, E Lescanne
1Hôpital Clocheville CHRU Tours 49 boulevard Béranger 37044 Tours Cedex 9 France. philippedebrito@hotmail.com
Insights
Pericochlear hypodensity is common in children, found in nearly 40% of CT scans, regardless of the reason for the scan. This finding often lacks clinical correlation, requiring careful interpretation.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Pediatric Imaging
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Pericochlear hypodensities on CT scans are often associated with specific conditions like otosclerosis.
- The prevalence and clinical significance in pediatric populations are not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the prevalence of pericochlear hypodensity on CT in children.
- To correlate CT findings with indications for imaging (headache, trauma).
Main Methods:
- Helical CT scans of the temporal bone were analyzed.
- Slice thickness varied (0.5-0.75 mm) with multiplanar reconstructions.
- Significant hypodensities (≥0.4 mm) were recorded, noting their morphology and laterality.
Main Results:
- Pericochlear hypodensity was identified in approximately 40% of pediatric cases.
- Prevalence did not differ based on CT indication, sex, or age (newborns to adolescents).
- Curvilinear type was more frequent on coronal views; unilateral and bilateral involvement were equally common.
Conclusions:
- A high prevalence of pericochlear hypodensity exists in the pediatric population.
- The finding often lacks direct clinical correlation.
- Interpretation of this CT sign requires caution, especially when considering conditions like otosclerosis or osteogenesis imperfecta.
Purpose:
Evaluation of the prevalence of a pericochlear hypodensity on CT in children. Materials and methods. This study correlates the findings on temporal bone CT to the indications for CT (headache, trauma). Helical CT acquisitions using 0,5 mm, 0,6 mm or 0,75 mm slice thickness according to the material available, with multiplanar reconstructions. Only patients with significant pericochlear hypodensity, larger or equal to 0,4 mm, were taken into account, and the curvilinear or nodular nature of the lesion on axial and coronal sections was recorded.
Results:
A pericochlear hypodensity was identified in nearly 40% of cases. There was no population predominence according to the indication for the CT. The curvilinear type was more frequent on coronal images, with unilateral and bilateral involvement being equally frequent. There was no significant difference according to the sex. Patients of all ages showed lesions, from newborns to adolescents, with increased frequency in childhood.
Conclusion:
This study confirms a high prevalence of pericochlear hypodensity in a paediatric population, without clinical correlation, which requires prudence when interpreting the significance of this CT sign commonly described in association with pericochlear otosclerosis and the pericochlear form of osteogenesis imperfecta.
