Vascular loops in the anterior inferior cerebellar artery, as identified by magnetic resonance imaging, and their relationship with otologic symptoms.

Luiz De Abreu Junior,Cristina Hiromi Kuniyoshi,Vanessa Kiyomi Arashiro Ota,Angela Borri Wolosker,Maria Lúcia Borri,Augusto Antunes,Daniela Uchida

doi:10.1590/0100-3984.2015.0069

Abstract

ObjectiveTo use magnetic resonance imaging to identify vascular loops in the anterior inferior cerebellar artery and to evaluate their relationship with otologic symptoms.Materials and MethodsWe selected 33 adults with otologic complaints who underwent magnetic resonance imaging at our institution between June and November 2013. Three experienced independent observers evaluated the trajectory of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery in relation to the internal auditory meatus and graded the anterior inferior cerebellar artery vascular loops according to the Chavda classification. Kappa and chi-square tests were used. Values of p < 0.05 were considered significant.ResultsThe interobserver agreement was moderate. Comparing ears that presented vascular loops with those that did not, we found no association with tinnitus, hearing loss, or vertigo. Similarly, we found no association between the Chavda grade and any otological symptom.ConclusionVascular loops do not appear to be associated with otoneurological manifestations.

Highlights

Common otologic symptoms include tinnitus, hearing loss, and dizziness
We evaluated the trajectory of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) in relation to the internal auditory meatus through a T2-weighted sequence, using the three-dimensional driven equilibrium technique, which increases the contrast between the cerebrospinal fluid in the subarachnoid space and the cranial nerves
The concept of vascular compression syndromes was popularized by Jannetta[6], who reported a reduction in dysfunctional hyperactivity of the eighth cranial nerve after using microsurgery to separate the nerve from a blood vessel, supporting the theory that a vascular loop is an etiological factor of dysfunction

Summary

Introduction

Common otologic symptoms include tinnitus (the perception of sounds in the absence of external stimuli), hearing loss, and dizziness. The estimated prevalence of these symptoms in the Brazilian population is approximately 22%. 1. PhD, MD, Radiologist in the Grupo Fleury at the Hospital São Luiz/Rede D’Or, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. 2. MD, Radiologist in the Grupo Fleury at the Hospital São Luiz/Rede D’Or, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. 3. MD, Radiologist at Axial Medicina Diagnóstica, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. 4. Biomedical Professional, Postdoctoral Student in the Department of Psychiatry at the Escola Paulista de Medicina da Universidade Federal de São Paulo (EPMUnifesp), São Paulo, SP, Brazil

Methods

Results

Conclusion