Investigation of serum calcium and vitamin D levels in superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome: A case control study

Abstract

ObjectiveIt remains unknown whether calcium metabolism has any effect on the clinical presentation of superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD). Our aim was to analyse the adjusted calcium and vitamin D levels in SSCD patients compared to a control group. MethodsThis was a prospective case-control study performed in a tertiary referral center, university teaching hospital in the UK. It included all new patients with SSCD seen in a dedicated skull base clinic over a 5-year period (2015–2019) compared to a gender and age matched control group. The main outcome of the study was adjusted calcium and Vitamin D levels between the two groups. ResultsA total of 31 SSCD patients were recruited with a matched number of control patients. The mean Vitamin D level on the SSCD group was 44.8 nmoL/l (SD: 20.8) compared to 47.5 nmoL/l (SD: 27.4) on the control group (p = 0.702). Mean Adjusted calcium level was 2.34 mmoL/l (SD: 0.7) for SSCD compared to 2.41 mmoL/l (SD: 0.11) for controls (p = 0.01), being within normal limits for both the SSCD and the control group. ConclusionOur study did not identify a link between Vitamin D levels and presence of SSCD. Normal adjusted calcium values were found in both groups. Despite that a statistically significant lower calcium level was found in the SSCD group which could indicate that suboptimal levels of calcium may affect the micro-environment of the otic capsule at the SSC region.