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The association among prematurity, cochlear hyperintensity, and hearing loss
Michael A Wien1,2,3, Matthew T Whitehead3,4
11 Department of Radiology, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, UH - Cleveland Medical Center, USA.
The Neuroradiology Journal
|June 21, 2017
Summary
Premature infants show higher rates of cochlear signal intensity changes on MRI, a finding linked to neonatal hearing loss. Early scrutiny of premature infant cochleae is crucial for timely diagnosis and intervention.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal imaging
- Pediatric audiology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Prematurity is a significant risk factor for hearing loss in newborns.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) now allows detailed examination of the inner ear structures in premature infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the occurrence of abnormal cochlear signal intensity in premature and term neonates.
- To investigate the association between cochlear signal alterations and hearing loss in neonates.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 148 neonatal MRI exams (premature and term infants).
- Evaluation of cochlear signal alteration using three-dimensional T1-weighted imaging (T1WI).
- Analysis of electronic medical records for clinical data and potential contributing factors.
Main Results:
- Cochlear hyperintensity on T1WI was more prevalent in preterm infants (12.2%) compared to term infants (1.4%) (p < 0.05).
- Hearing screening failure (Auditory Brainstem Response) was significantly higher in neonates with cochlear hyperintensity (56%) versus those with normal findings (11%) (p < 0.01).
Conclusions:
- Cochlear hyperintensity on T1WI is more frequent in preterm neonates and may indicate an increased risk of hearing loss.
- Close examination of cochlear signal in premature infants is recommended, with alterations warranting further investigation and potential early referral.
