Usefulness of computed tomographic scan in the evaluation of sensorineural hearing loss in children.
Publication/Presentation Date
5-1-1992
Abstract
A retrospective chart study was conducted to determine the diagnostic yield of temporal bone imaging for children with sensorineural hearing loss of unknown cause. Seventy consecutive cases, spanning 4.5 years, were identified and individual computed tomography films reviewed. Cases were analyzed with respect to patients' age, duration of hearing loss, sudden onset vs progressive loss, unilateral vs bilateral, and other symptoms. Of the 70 computed tomographic scans, nine showed temporal bone or other intracranial abnormalities. The majority of these findings were localized to structures in the posterior and middle cranial fossae. No eight nerve tumors were identified. Congenital hearing loss and hearing loss secondary to viral infections are the most common cause of sensorineural hearing loss when discovered in early childhood and, often, have no radiographic abnormality. The decision to explore an ear for a presumed perilymph fistula is based almost exclusively on the history and physical examination, and not on the demonstration of any radiographic findings. For the children presenting with stable hearing impairment in the absence of other findings, computed tomographic scans were either negative or did not contribute to diagnosis. Since tumors of the eighth nerve are rare in children under 16 years of age (without neurofibromatosis), and radiologic studies have a low yield in identifying perilymph fistulas, the routine use of computed tomographic imaging in such children may be unjustified.
Volume
118
Issue
5
First Page
501
Last Page
503
ISSN
0886-4470
Published In/Presented At
Shusterman, D., Handler, S. D., Marsh, R. R., Bilaniuk, L., & Tom, L. W. (1992). Usefulness of computed tomographic scan in the evaluation of sensorineural hearing loss in children. Archives of otolaryngology--head & neck surgery, 118(5), 501–503. https://doi.org/10.1001/archotol.1992.01880050047012
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences | Pediatrics
PubMedID
1571122
Department(s)
Department of Pediatrics
Document Type
Article