Audiovestibular manifestations in a radiologically confirmed enlarged vestibular aqueduct in congenital nonsyndromic sensorineural hearing loss in Egypt

Abstract

EnAbstract Background Enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA), the most common radiological finding in children with sensorineural hearing loss, is associated with variable auditory and vestibular symptoms. Aim of the work The aim of this study was to determine vestibular findings in patients with EVA. Patients and methods Twenty patients diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss and EVA were included in the study group and 20 healthy individuals matched for age and sex were included in the control group. Both groups were subjected to the following: complete history taking, general and neurological examination, full ENT examination, pure tone audiometry, tymanometry, high-resolution computed tomography, vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP), caloric test, and computerized dynamic posturography. Results EVA was bilateral in 14 patients and unilateral in six patients. The VEMP amplitude of wave p13–n23 was higher in ears with EVA and it correlated positively with its size. p13–n23 latencies did not differ significantly from the control group. The caloric test showed an absent response in four patients, unilateral weakness in six patients, and normal results in 10 patients. There was no statistically significant difference in the results of computerized dynamic posturography. Conclusion The results showed a larger VEMP amplitude, which is indicative of a third window lesion. Some patients showed abnormalities in the caloric test, which indicates a peripheral vestibular lesion. VEMP, caloric test, and computerized dynamic posturography testing were effective in the evaluation of patients with EVA.