TY - JOUR
T1 - Coronal computed tomography prevalence of superior semicircular canal dehiscence
AU - Williamson, Robert A.
AU - Vrabec, Jeffrey T.
AU - Coker, Newton J.
AU - Sandlin, Marlin
PY - 2003/11
Y1 - 2003/11
N2 - OBJECTIVES: The relatively new clinical entity superior canal dehiscence syndrome (SCDS) is diagnosed by clinical symptoms and signs. Coronal computed tomography (CT) has been used to confirm the diagnosis. A consecutive series of temporal bone CT scans was reviewed to define the prevalence of a dehiscent-appearing superior semicircular canal. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Temporal bone CT scans performed over a 2-year period at a university-based tertiary referral center were reviewed independently by 3 individuals. Scans were excluded if coronal images were not obtained or reconstructed from axial images. Prevalence figures for dehiscent-appearing superior semicircular canal were determined by consensus. Medical records of selected individuals with a dehiscent-appearing canal were reviewed for study indications and otologic symptoms. RESULTS: A dehiscent-appearing superior semicircular canal was seen in 9% of studies. Correlation among examiners was greater than 94%. Medical records indicated symptoms suggestive of or compatible with the diagnosis of SCDS in rare cases. CONCLUSION. The prevalence of a dehiscent-appearing superior semicircular canal on coronal CT of the temporal bones performed with 1.0-mm collimation is substantially greater than that predicted by temporal bone histologic study. Clinical symptoms compatible with the diagnosis were seldom recorded, suggesting low specificity. The high sensitivity and low specificity of CT scan create a risk for overdiagnosis of SCDS if the coronal CT scans are not correlated with clinical symptoms.
AB - OBJECTIVES: The relatively new clinical entity superior canal dehiscence syndrome (SCDS) is diagnosed by clinical symptoms and signs. Coronal computed tomography (CT) has been used to confirm the diagnosis. A consecutive series of temporal bone CT scans was reviewed to define the prevalence of a dehiscent-appearing superior semicircular canal. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Temporal bone CT scans performed over a 2-year period at a university-based tertiary referral center were reviewed independently by 3 individuals. Scans were excluded if coronal images were not obtained or reconstructed from axial images. Prevalence figures for dehiscent-appearing superior semicircular canal were determined by consensus. Medical records of selected individuals with a dehiscent-appearing canal were reviewed for study indications and otologic symptoms. RESULTS: A dehiscent-appearing superior semicircular canal was seen in 9% of studies. Correlation among examiners was greater than 94%. Medical records indicated symptoms suggestive of or compatible with the diagnosis of SCDS in rare cases. CONCLUSION. The prevalence of a dehiscent-appearing superior semicircular canal on coronal CT of the temporal bones performed with 1.0-mm collimation is substantially greater than that predicted by temporal bone histologic study. Clinical symptoms compatible with the diagnosis were seldom recorded, suggesting low specificity. The high sensitivity and low specificity of CT scan create a risk for overdiagnosis of SCDS if the coronal CT scans are not correlated with clinical symptoms.
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U2 - 10.1016/S0194-5998(03)01391-3
DO - 10.1016/S0194-5998(03)01391-3
M3 - Article
C2 - 14595270
AN - SCOPUS:0242662776
SN - 0194-5998
VL - 129
SP - 481
EP - 489
JO - Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
JF - Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
IS - 5
ER -