The large vestibular aqueduct: a new definition based on audiologic and computed tomography correlation.

OBJECTIVE

The study goal was to determine the prevalence and clinical significance of a large vestibular aqueduct (LVA) in children with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL).

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

We conducted a retrospective review of a pediatric SNHL database. One hundred seven children with SNHL were selected and their radiographic and audiometric studies were evaluated. Radiographic comparisons were made to a group of children without SNHL.

RESULTS

A vestibular aqueduct (VA) larger than the 95th percentile of controls was present in 32% of children with SNHL. Progressive SNHL was more likely to occur in ears with an LVA and the rate of progressive hearing loss was greater than in ears without an LVA. The risk of progressive SNHL increased with increasing VA size as determined by logistic regression analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

An LVA is defined as one that is >or=2 mm at the operculum and/or >or=1 mm at the midpoint in children with nonsyndromic SNHL. An LVA appears to be more common than previously reported in children with SNHL. A linear relationship is observed between VA width and progressive SNHL.

SIGNIFICANCE

The finding of an LVA in children with SNHL provides diagnostic as well as prognostic information.