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Published on: May 19, 2018
Large vestibular aqueduct syndrome: anatomic and functional parameters
Adam P Campbell1, Oliver F Adunka, Bingqing Zhou
1Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7070, USA.
The Laryngoscope
|January 29, 2011
Summary
Imaging findings like endolymphatic sac signal heterogeneity and larger endolymphatic duct width near the vestibule (ED(VA)) indicate poorer hearing in large vestibular aqueduct syndrome (LVAS) patients.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Otolaryngology
- Genetics
Background:
- Large vestibular aqueduct syndrome (LVAS) is a common cause of congenital sensorineural hearing loss.
- Imaging findings and their correlation with audiologic outcomes in LVAS are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To correlate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings with audiologic data in patients diagnosed with LVAS.
- Identify imaging markers predictive of hearing loss patterns in LVAS.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 38 patients with LVAS.
- MRI analysis for endolymphatic sac/duct size and signal heterogeneity.
- Correlation of imaging measurements (ED(VA), ED(MID)) with audiometric variables (PTA, hearing loss pattern).
Main Results:
- Significant correlation found between audiologic and anatomic variables.
- Endolymphatic sac signal heterogeneity correlated with worse pure tone average (PTA).
- Larger ED(VA) measures were associated with progressive hearing loss and correlated with PTA.
Conclusions:
- Endolymphatic sac signal heterogeneity and larger ED(VA) are markers of poorer hearing in LVAS.
- ED(VA) measurements near the vestibule are more predictive of hearing outcomes than ED(MID).
- Imaging can help predict hearing loss progression in LVAS patients.
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