High-resolution CT findings in children with a normal pinna or grade I microtia and unilateral mild stenosis of the external auditory canal.

Abstract

A subset of patients presents with unilateral conductive hearing loss, a normal pinna or grade I microtia, and mild external auditory canal stenosis. The physical findings of microtia and a small external canal are commonly absent or subtle in this group of patients, who are being commonly referred for imaging to evaluate isolated conductive hearing loss. We present a case series of patients with unilateral conductive hearing loss and characteristic ossicular abnormalities, commonly anterior fixation of the malleus. All patients had a significantly increased distance from the cochlear promontory to the handle of the malleus and an abnormal incudostapedial angle, indicative of an abnormal ossicular position and/or morphology. Successful surgical reconstruction of the ossicular chain was attempted and accomplished in 3 patients.

• Authors: R Jacob, S Gupta, B Isaacson, J W Kutz Jr, P Roland, Y Xi, T N Booth
• Journal: AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology (AJNR Am J Neuroradiol) Vol. 36 Issue 1 Pg. 176-80 (Jan 2015) ISSN: 1936-959X [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25125664 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2015 by American Journal of Neuroradiology.

Topics

• Child
• Congenital Microtia (diagnostic imaging)
• Constriction, Pathologic
• Ear Auricle (diagnostic imaging)
• Ear Canal
• Ear Diseases (diagnostic imaging)
• Ear Ossicles (abnormalities)
• Female
• Hearing Loss, Conductive (diagnostic imaging)
• Humans
• Male
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed