Is there a relation between sudden sensorineural hearing loss and white matter lesions?

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Otolaryngology
• Radiology

Background:

• Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) shares vascular risk factors with conditions like stroke.
• Chronic brain hypoperfusion can lead to cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD), detectable via MRI.
• CSVD signifies chronic ischemic damage, potentially linking SSNHL to broader vascular health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of CSVD in patients with SSNHL.
• To assess the relationship between CSVD and vascular risk factors in SSNHL.
• To determine the impact of CSVD on hearing recovery outcomes in SSNHL patients.

Main Methods:

• Utilized CSVD assessment to identify vascular risk factors in SSNHL patients.
• Employed the Fazekas score to classify the severity of CSVD.
• Correlated Fazekas scores with hearing recovery probabilities.

Main Results:

• SSNHL patients aged 48-60 showed a 26% higher likelihood of Fazekas score >1 compared to the general population.
• Higher Fazekas scores were associated with significantly lower probabilities of hearing recovery.
• Hearing recovery probability decreased by 16% for each increase in the Fazekas score.

Conclusions:

• A higher prevalence of CSVD was observed in SSNHL patients aged 48-60 compared to the general population.
• CSVD presence negatively impacts hearing recovery probability in SSNHL, similar to its effect on stroke recovery.
• Findings suggest SSNHL may serve as an early indicator of underlying cerebrovascular disease.