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Is there a correlation between vascular loops and unilateral auditory symptoms?
A E Makins1, T P Nikolopoulos, C Ludman
1Department of Academic Radiology, University Hospital, Queen's Medical Centre NHS Trust, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
The Laryngoscope
|November 18, 1998
Summary
Vascular loops from the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) contacting the eighth cranial nerve are common in patients with unilateral auditory symptoms but not significantly more so than in controls. This finding suggests it
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Vascular compression syndrome is a debated cause of unilateral auditory symptoms.
- The anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) can form vascular loops that may compress cranial nerves.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if contact between an AICA vascular loop and the eighth cranial nerve correlates with unilateral auditory symptoms.
- To assess if this contact represents a vascular compression syndrome.
Main Methods:
- Prospective evaluation of 112 patients with unilateral auditory symptoms using MRI.
- Assessed AICA vascular loop contact with the eighth cranial nerve in symptomatic and asymptomatic ears.
- Used asymptomatic contralateral ears as controls.
Main Results:
- AICA vascular loop contact with the eighth cranial nerve was observed in 25% of symptomatic ears and 21.4% of asymptomatic ears.
- The difference in contact prevalence between symptomatic and asymptomatic ears was not statistically significant.
Conclusions:
- Radiologic evidence of AICA vascular loop contact with the eighth cranial nerve is a common finding.
- This finding alone should not be used to diagnose vascular compression syndrome causing auditory symptoms.