White Matter Hyperintensity in Patients with Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Radiology
• Otolaryngology

Background:

• Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a complex condition with multifactorial etiologies.
• White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are common findings on MRI, often associated with cerebrovascular disease and aging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and severity of WMHs in patients with SSNHL.
• To compare WMH burden between SSNHL patients and age-matched healthy controls.
• To evaluate the diagnostic performance of different WMH grading scales.

Main Methods:

• T2-weighted MRI scans from 150 SSNHL patients and 148 controls were analyzed.
• Independent grading of periventricular (PVHs) and deep white matter hyperintensities (DWMHs) was performed.
• WMH severity was assessed using the Fazekas and Mirsen scales by two independent observers.

Main Results:

• SSNHL patients exhibited significantly higher Fazekas and Mirsen grades for both PVHs and DWMHs compared to controls (p < 0.001).
• The Mirsen scale demonstrated higher sensitivity than the Fazekas scale for grading PVHs and DWMHs (p < 0.001).
• No significant difference in specificity was observed between the two scales.

Conclusions:

• Patients with SSNHL have a significantly greater likelihood of presenting with periventricular and deep white matter hyperintensities.
• These findings suggest that SSNHL may be associated with microvascular brain changes.
• A vascular or migraine-related etiology is a potential contributing factor to SSNHL.