title: Clinical experience in diagnosis and management of superior semicircular canal dehiscence in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify clinical characteristics of pediatric superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) and explore suitable options of management.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study comprised 10 patients with auditory and/or vestibular symptoms suspicious for SSCD. One patient pursued care at another institution, and two did not return for follow-up. Subsequently, seven patients (11 ears, 6 females and 1 male, aged 5-11 years) were included. Patients were evaluated using high-resolution temporal bone computed tomography. Those suspected of having SSCD underwent vestibular evoked myogenic potential testing for confirmation in addition to routine audiologic tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All seven patients had auditory and/or vestibular impairment. Auditory symptoms included autophony, tinnitus, and conductive or mixed hearing loss. Bone conduction responses were occasionally better than 0 dB HL. Vestibular dysfunction included vertigo, often in response to loud noises, and chronic disequilibrium. One patient underwent surgical repair for disabling vestibular symptoms with dramatic improvement in both auditory and vestibular symptoms postoperatively. The remaining six were closely monitored with routine exams.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In contrast to adults, children with SSCD usually present with auditory symptoms first, although they share some similarities with adults in clinical manifestations of SSCD. Our study shows that SSCD syndrome, a well-accepted clinical entity, exists in the pediatric population. Conservative management is preferred for children with SSCD; nevertheless, surgical intervention is necessary for those with disabling vestibular symptoms. To date, this is the first clinical case series of symptomatic pediatric patients with SSCD.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology and Communication Enhancement, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. gi.lee@childrens.harvard.edu
authors: Gi Soo
authors: GS
authors: Lee
authors: Guangwei
authors: G
authors: Zhou
authors: Dennis
authors: D
authors: Poe
authors: Margaret
authors: M
authors: Kenna
authors: Manali
authors: M
authors: Amin
authors: Laurie
authors: L
authors: Ohlms
authors: Quinton
authors: Q
authors: Gopen
mesh_terms: D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone / Q000379:methods; D001844:Bone Conduction / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013506:Otologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012665:Semicircular Canals / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D058585:Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials; D014724:Vestibular Function Tests