Incidental MRI brain findings in children with sensorineural hearing loss

Abstract

Background Sensorineural hearing loss is one of the leading causes for cognitive dysfunction. Incidental brain abnormalities are frequently seen in patient`s MRI. Our aim was to highlight the incidence of brain abnormalities in children with sensorineural hearing loss and to consider brain screening as a part of the standard cochlear implant MRI protocol. Methods This retrospective study included 385 prelingually deaf mute children who were referred for pre-cochlear implant imaging evaluation in the period from January 2020 to June 2022. We evaluated brain images for any structural or white matter abnormality. Results We detected brain abnormalities in 62 patients (16.11%), 27 (7.01%) with white matter lesions and 35 patients (9.1%) with other structural brain abnormalities. The commonest white matter lesions were bilateral focal lesions (5.71%). The commonest structural brain abnormality was arachnoid cyst (2.86%). Four patients had two coincidental brain abnormalities. No significant correlation was found between ear abnormalities and white matter lesions or structural brain abnormalities (P > 0.05). Conclusions The incidence of brain abnormalities in children with sensorineural hearing loss is not uncommon. Pre-implant MRI screening of the brain helps to obtain best outcomes.