Neurovascular conflict and sudden unilateral sensorineural hearing loss: coincidence or coexistence?

Abstract

To study the association between neurovascular conflict (NVC) of the 8thcranial nerve (CN8) and unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss SSNHL (SSNHL). A systematic literature search of "MEDLINE" via "PubMed," "Embase," and "Google-Scholar" was conducted. Meta-analysis of pooled data was performed for NVC prevalence of SSNHL affected ears versus controls. The literature search identified 941 publications, of which, 9 included in qualitative synthesis (1030 ears) and 5 in quantitative synthesis (484 ears). NVC was as prevalent as 0.8-69% for affected ears and as 19-57% for controlled ears. No association between MRI protocol and NVC prevalence was proved. An odds ratio of 1.05 (95% confidence interval = 0.79-1.39) was calculated for association of NVC in unilateral SSNHL ears versus controls. The prevalence of NVC of CN8 in unilateral SSNHL affected ears is not significantly bigger than controls. Hence, NVC of CN8 is probably NOT associated with unilateral SSNHL.