Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 10, 2026

Behavioral Assessment of Hearing in 2 to 4 Year-old Children: A Two-interval, Observer-based Procedure Using Conditioned Play-based Responses
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Behavioral Assessment of Hearing in 2 to 4 Year-old Children: A Two-interval, Observer-based Procedure Using Conditioned Play-based Responses

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Pediatric internal auditory canal volume: age-related changes and sex differences in a cohort of 340 ears

Elif Dilara Topcuoglu1, Sevde Nur Emir2

  • 1Department of Radiology, University of Health Sciences Umraniye Training and Research Hospital, Adem Yavuz St., 34764, Umraniye, Istanbul, Turkey. elifdilaratopcuoglu@gmail.com.

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy : SRA
|November 20, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric internal auditory canal (IAC) volume significantly increases with age, particularly in early childhood. This 3D CT analysis establishes normative data for IAC development and aids in radiological assessments.

Area of Science:

  • Radiology
  • Pediatric Imaging
  • Anatomy

Background:

  • The internal auditory canal (IAC) is crucial for auditory and vestibular function.
  • Understanding IAC development is vital for diagnosing congenital hearing loss and planning otologic surgery.
  • Limited data exists on 3D volumetric analysis of pediatric IACs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To perform 3D volumetric computed tomography (CT) analysis of the IAC in a large pediatric cohort.
  • To assess the relationship between age, sex, and IAC dimensions.
  • To establish normative volumetric benchmarks for pediatric IAC development.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of temporal bone CT scans from 340 pediatric ears (0-16 years).
  • Inclusion of 5 males and 5 females per age group for balanced representation.
  • 3D volumetric reconstruction and measurement of IAC mid-point diameters.

Main Results:

  • IAC volume demonstrated a significant, monotonic increase with age (r=0.37, p<0.001), especially between 0-4 and >4 years.
  • A threshold IAC volume of 147 mm³ was identified (AUC=0.76) to indicate children over four years old, with 90% sensitivity and 62% specificity.
  • No significant differences in IAC volume were found between sexes or sides.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides normative 3D volumetric data for pediatric IAC development.
  • Accelerated IAC growth occurs in early childhood.
  • These findings support precise radiological assessment and surgical planning in pediatric otology.
Abstract

Keywords:
3D volumetric analysisComputed tomographyInternal auditory canalOtologyPediatric temporal bone

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