Abstract
Objective: Determine the prevalence of dehiscence of the jugular bulb and vestibular aqueduct (JBVAD) in pediatric patients undergoing temporal bone computed tomography (CT) scans and assess the correlation between JBVAD and hearing loss.
Method: All patients 18 years of age or younger who underwent temporal bone CT scans and audiometric testing between 2004 and 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. JBVAD was determined by blinded review of CT images. Hearing loss was determined by review of audiometric data and correlated with imaging findings.
Results: CT images and audiometric data were available for review in 927 patients (1854 ears). Overall prevalence of JBVAD was 8.6%, with a prevalence of 6.6% in right ears and 3.6% in left ears. JBVAD was present in 8.3% of patients with sensorineural or mixed hearing loss and 7.1% of patients without sensorineural or mixed hearing loss (P = .51). Similarly, JBVAD was present in 5.5% of ears with and 4.6% of ears without sensorineural or mixed hearing loss (P = .37).
Conclusion: The prevalence of JBVAD is 8.6% in pediatric patients undergoing temporal bone CT scans, 65% of which occur in the right ear. We were unable to identify any correlation between JBVAD and hearing loss. A major contribution to pediatric sensorineural hearing loss from JBVAD is excluded.
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