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Vestibular symptoms in children with enlarged vestibular aqueduct anomaly

J Fredrik Grimmer1, Gary Hedlund

  • 1Division of Otolaryngology, University of Utah, Primary Children's Medical Center, UT, USA. fred.grimmer@intermountainmail.org

International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
|November 23, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA) anomaly affects about half of patients with vestibular symptoms, with similar rates in pediatric and adult groups. Some patients may experience post-operative vertigo after cochlear implantation.

Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Pediatric Audiology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA) is a common inner ear malformation.
  • Vestibular symptoms are frequently associated with EVA, impacting quality of life.
  • Understanding these symptoms in pediatric populations is crucial for management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize vestibular symptoms in pediatric patients diagnosed with enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA).
  • To compare vestibular symptom prevalence between pediatric and adult EVA patients.
  • To investigate post-operative vestibular symptoms following cochlear implantation in EVA patients.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective chart review of patients with EVA anomaly.
  • Inclusion criteria: patients treated between 1995-2005 at specified medical centers.
  • Radiographic confirmation of EVA and comparison of symptom data between adult and pediatric cohorts.

Main Results:

  • Thirty-two patients (21 pediatric, 11 adult) were analyzed.
  • Vestibular symptom incidence was similar in pediatric (48.0%) and adult (45.5%) groups.
  • Four of 14 patients (28.6%) who underwent cochlear implantation reported post-operative vertigo.

Conclusions:

  • Approximately 50% of patients with EVA experience vestibular symptoms.
  • Pediatric and adult EVA patients exhibit comparable frequencies of vertigo and vestibular issues.
  • Cochlear implantation in EVA patients can lead to post-operative vestibular symptoms.
Abstract

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