Radiological parameters and audiometric findings in otosclerosis: is there any relationship?

Abstract

The role of high-resolution computed tomography scans in otosclerosis remains uncertain. There is a debate over the relationship between radiological and audiometric findings among patients. Pre-operative audiometry and high-resolution computed tomography findings from 40 ears with surgically confirmed otosclerosis were compared. High-resolution computed tomography scan data regarding the characteristics of the disease foci, the endosteal extension and the occurrence of internal auditory canal diverticula were obtained. The influence of each radiological variable on the simple pure tone average, the high-frequency pure tone average and the bone-conduction pure tone average were investigated. Cases with endosteal extension (p = 0.047) and a higher number of affected sites within the otic capsule had a worse bone-conduction pure tone average, although it was only significant for the latter (p = 0.006). Those without concomitant retrofenestral disease (p = 0.019) had better simple pure tone average. The number of sites of involvement and concomitant retrofenestral disease seem to significantly impact audiometric findings in otosclerosis.