The incidence of enlarged vestibular aqueduct among hearing-impaired children: hospital-based tertiary care referral center

Abstract

Background The most common radiologically detectable congenital inner ear anomaly is an enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA), which is associated with varying degrees of hearing loss and vestibular disorders. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the enlarged vestibular aqueduct incidence in hearing-impaired children sent to a tertiary care referral center, as well as to describe the audiologic pattern of EVA in those individuals. Results In a retrospective study of 3765 hearing-impaired children aged 1 to 10 years, 450 had EVA (11.95%). The EVA was more prevalent in female populations (54.4%). Head trauma was present in 26.7% of cases; a positive family history of EVA was present in 17.8%. The most common associated syndrome was Pendred syndrome. Progressive hearing loss was observed in 25.6% of patients, fluctuant hearing loss in 19.1%, and sudden hearing loss in 2% of the patients. Conclusion The most prevalent inner ear anomaly is an enlarged vestibular aqueduct, contributing to 11.9% of the research study. The most common presentation of EVA is hearing loss, which may be stationary, progressive, fluctuant, or sudden onset. CT scan is considered the gold standard radiological test to diagnose EVA in the sagittal or parasagittal plane. Head trauma should be avoided in children with EVA, and close follow-up is essential.