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[A temporal bone CT study of the infants with hearing loss referred from universal newborn hearing screening]
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Children's Hearing and Speech Center, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China. taozhengyunbai@yahoo.com.cn
Insights
High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the temporal bone is valuable for diagnosing congenital hearing loss in infants. HRCT imaging helps identify malformations of the external, middle, and inner ear structures.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatric Radiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Congenital hearing loss affects a significant number of newborns.
- Early diagnosis and identification of the cause are crucial for effective intervention.
- Hearing screening programs identify infants requiring further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in assessing temporal bone abnormalities in infants with congenital hearing loss.
- To determine the diagnostic value of HRCT in identifying the causes of hearing loss in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 184 infants diagnosed with congenital hearing loss underwent temporal bone HRCT scanning.
- Infants were part of a larger hearing screening program in Shanghai.
- Data analysis focused on identifying specific malformations detected by HRCT.
Main Results:
- HRCT revealed external ear malformations in 14.1% of infants.
- Middle ear malformations were identified in 11.4% of cases.
- Inner ear malformations, including Mondini malformation and large vestibule, were observed in 16.8% of patients. Fluid in the middle ear was noted in 10.8%.
Conclusions:
- HRCT imaging is a critical tool for the differential diagnosis of congenital hearing loss in infants.
- Identifying temporal bone abnormalities via HRCT aids in planning appropriate treatment strategies.
Objective:
To explore the high resolution CT image of temporal bone in infants with hearing loss, and its value in evaluating the cause of hearing loss.
Method:
In 2005, 0.12 million newborns have been included in the hearing screening system in Shanghai, and 1077 infants have failed to pass the hearing screening. One hundred and eight four infants were diagnosed as congenital hearing loss from mild to profound. A temporal bone HRCT scanning was performed to these infants.
Result:
Among the 184 patients with congenital hearing loss, HRCT showed that 26 cases (14.1%) were associated with external ear malformation, and 21 cases (11.4%) were associated with middle ear malformation, 31 cases (16.8%) associated with inner ear malformation. The patients with inner ear malformation included 12 cases with Mondini malformation, 1 case with common cavity malformation, 6 cases with large vestibule malformation, 5 cases with internal auditory canal abnormalities, and 10 cases with vestibule, semicircular canals abnormalities. In addition, there were 20 cases (10.8%) with fluid in middle ear.
Conclusion:
HRCT image play an important role in the differential diagnosis and treatment of infants with congenital hearing loss.
