Traumatic superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome: case report and literature review

Superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) syndrome was first reported in 1998 by Minor et al. and comprises a spectrum of auditory and vestibular symptoms as a result of 'mobile third window' mechanism. The aetiology of SSCD is debated, but persistent infantile microstructure of the temporal bone was suggested. However, some authors related a 'second event', such as closed head trauma, temporal bone fracture and sudden increase in the intracranial pressure to the precipitation of its symptoms. In this article, we report a patient with a closed head trauma who developed unilateral auditory symptoms. High-resolution computed tomography images were obtained and confirmed bilateral SSCD with the normal middle ear structure. The patient was provided with a monaural hearing aid. Literature was searched for similar case reports or series where head trauma precipitated the symptoms of SSCD in anatomically susceptible individuals.