title: Evaluation of cochlear nerve size by magnetic resonance imaging in elderly patients with sensorineural hearing loss.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to determine any differences, if present, between the cross-sectional area of the cochlear nerve (CN) of elderly patients with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and of young patients with normal hearing.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study group included ten patients with age-related SNHL. Fourteen volunteer individuals with normal hearing were recruited as the control group. T1-weighted, T2-weighted and parasagittal three-dimensional Fourier transformation constructive interference in steady state (3DFT-CISS) reconstruction images of all cases were evaluated. Images were examined for any abnormality of CN. The data obtained for each ear with clinical, radiological and audiometric examinations were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean CN cross-sectional area was measured as 0.0252 cm(2) in the control group, whereas that in the SNHL group was 0.0232 cm(2). Although speech discrimination scores showed significant differences, no statistically significant difference was observed for the CN cross-sectional area (p=0.0616). Likewise, there was no difference in CN calibre between male and female patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 3DFT-CISS sequence yields superior results in CN imaging. Acquired SNHL may not present with significant changes in CN size on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, GATA Haydarpasa Military Hospital, Uskudar, Istanbul, Turkey. sildiroglu@yahoo.com
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sildiroglu
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cincik
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sonmez
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ozturk
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mutlu
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gocgeldi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tunca Keskin
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Basekim
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kizilkaya
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003056:Cochlear Nerve / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013067:Speech Perception