Diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging in children with congenital sensorineural hearing loss

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the value of Constructive Interference In Steady State (CISS) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment in evaluating the cranial nerve VIII, and the branches of this nerve for detection of the inner ear abnormalities. Ninety pediatric patients diagnosed with congenital sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) between November 2006 and September 2008 were assessed by 3D-CISS MRI to evaluate the cranial nerve VIII with respect to congenital abnormalities of the inner ear. Of the 90 patients included in the study group, 44 were male (48.9%) and 46 were female (51.1%) at an age varying from 1 to 16 years old (5.97±4.04 years). The structures of 180 inner ears of 90 pediatric patients were assessed. Pathology was detected in 48 inner ears (26.6%) with any of the cochlear, vestibular, semi-circular canal and vestibular aqueduct abnormalities. Among 24 patients (26.6%), Michel deformity (1.66%), cochlear aplasia (4.98%), common cavity deformity (2.22%), cochlear hypoplasia (3.33%) and Mondini malformation (2.77%) was detected in 3, 9, 4, 6 and 5 inner ears, respectively. Internal auditory canal (IAC) assessment revealed dilatation in 11 inner ears, hypoplasia in 6, aplasia in 1 and vestibular aqueduct (VAD) dilatation in 9 inner ears. CISS MRI is an effective imaging technique for assessing the inner ear abnormalities, the presence of nerve VIII in patients with congenital sensorineural hearing loss. Thus, we believe CISSMRI imaging should be performed before any operation in all patients, who may be candidates for cochlear implantation.