Prevalence of otic capsule dehiscence in temporal bone computed tomography scan

To investigate the radiologic prevalence of otic capsule dehiscence in temporal bone computed tomography (CT) scan.

This was a cross-sectional study. The temporal bone CT scans of the patients presenting to a tertiary center were evaluated for possible dehiscence in any part of the otic capsule; then, all of the dehiscence were confirmed by a trained academic radiologist. For each type of otic capsule dehiscence, at least three planes were used with a specific type of reconstruction. When a dehiscence was present in at least two consecutive images in all planes, it was considered as a true dehiscence.

Six hundred patients (mean age: 40 ± 18.1 years) were enrolled. The prevalence of superior and posterior semicircular canal dehiscence was 6.0% and 2.7%, respectively. The prevalence of cochlear-facial dehiscence, cochlear-internal auditory canal dehiscence, and cochlear-carotid dehiscence was 6.3%, 0.7%, and 0.7%, respectively. The prevalence of vestibular aqueduct-jugular bulb dehiscence was 6.3% and the prevalence of posterior semicircular canal-jugular bulb dehiscence was 0.2%.

Considering different types of otic capsule dehiscence described, care should be taken in patients with vestibular and auditory signs and symptoms to diagnose these dehiscences.