Superior semicircular canal dehiscence in a young child: implication of developmental defect

In recent years, superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) has been recognized as a structural cause of a number of auditory and vestibular symptoms, such as vertigo and conductive hearing loss. Prior clinical studies on SSCD have commonly described this entity in adults, but rarely in the pediatric population. We present a pediatric patient with right-sided SSCD which was initially diagnosed radiographically at age seven. This rare and unique case demonstrated SSCD can be found in young children, although the majority of patients with SSCD are adults. It also provides strong evidence that canal dehiscence may be a developmental defect.