Is routine audiometric testing necessary for children with isolated preauricular lesions?
Grace T Wu1, Conor Devine1, Allen Xu1
1Head and Neck Institute, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
|January 23, 2017
Summary
Children with isolated preauricular lesions may have a higher risk of Eustachian tube dysfunction. Routine hearing screenings are recommended, but further audiology evaluation may not be necessary unless other risk factors are present.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatrics
- Genetics
Background:
- Preauricular lesions (tags, pits, sinuses, cysts) are common congenital anomalies.
- Previous studies show conflicting evidence regarding the association between preauricular lesions and hearing loss.
- The incidence of hearing loss in children with isolated preauricular lesions requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the incidence of hearing loss in pediatric patients diagnosed with isolated preauricular lesions.
- To identify potential correlations between preauricular lesions and specific types of hearing impairment.
- To determine the necessity of audiological evaluations for children with these lesions.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of pediatric otolaryngology patients (2008-2014).
- Inclusion criteria: diagnosis codes for preauricular skin tags, pits, fistulas, or cysts.
- Data collected: clinical, demographic, and audiologic information.
Main Results:
- Ninety-nine patients with preauricular lesions were identified.
- Twelve patients (12.1%) exhibited abnormal hearing.
- Conductive hearing loss (Eustachian tube dysfunction) and sensorineural hearing loss (enlarged vestibular aqueduct) were observed.
Conclusions:
- Children with isolated preauricular lesions and no other risk factors may not require audiology evaluation beyond routine screening.
- A higher association between preauricular lesions and Eustachian tube dysfunction is suggested.
- Further research is needed to explore potential embryological links between preauricular anomalies and hearing deficits.
