title: Temporal bone high-resolution computed tomography in non-syndromic unilateral hearing loss in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to disclose possible inner ear abnormalities/pathologies by means of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the temporal bone (TBHRCT) in children with unilateral hearing loss (UHL).
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of audiological evaluation and TBHRCT in 22 children with UHL.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two thirds of the children showed profound hearing loss. Review of HRCT scans identified inner ear malformations/pathologies in 9 (41%) cases and a high jugular bulb (HJB), always dehiscent with the vestibular aqueduct, in another 5 (22%). Inner ear malformations included enlarged vestibular aqueduct, common cavity and cochleovestibular hypoplasia, while labyrinthine ossification was the detected pathology. In 1 child, the common cavity of the right ear was associated with congenital melanocytic naevus of the left eyelid and lipomeningocele. To the best of our knowledge, this condition has never been described.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The aetiology of UHL may be revealed in more than half of patients by means of TBHRCT. Besides common inner ear abnormalities, TBHRCT should be evaluated carefully to rule out HJB, dehiscences, diverticulum or erosion of inner ear structures.
authors.affiliation: Servizio di Audiologia e Foniatria, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, University of Padua, Padua, Italy. elona.cama@unipd.it
authors.forename: Elona
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cama
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Inches
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Muzzi
authors.forename: Orjona
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sadushi
authors.forename: Rosamaria
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Santarelli
authors.forename: Wladimiro
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: De Colle
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: di Paola
authors.forename: Edoardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arslan
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004240:Diverticulum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D046088:Hearing Loss, Unilateral / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007601:Jugular Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007762:Labyrinthitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014723:Vestibular Aqueduct / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging