Outcomes of middle fossa craniotomy for the repair of superior semicircular canal dehiscence

Publication date: Available online 13 June 2017 Source:Journal of Clinical Neuroscience Author(s): Nolan Ung, Lawrance K. Chung, Carlito Lagman, Nikhilesh S. Bhatt, Natalie E. Barnette, Vera Ong, Quinton Gopen, Isaac Yang Superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) is a rare defect of the arcuate eminence that causes an abnormal connection between the superior semicircular canal and middle cranial fossa. Patients often present with a variety of auditory and vestibular symptoms. Trigger avoidance is the initial strategy, but surgery may be necessary in debilitating cases. We retrospectively reviewed SSCD patients undergoing repair via a middle fossa craniotomy between March 2011 and September 2015. Forty-nine patients undergoing 58 surgeries were identified. Autophony was the most common symptom at presentation (n =44; 90%). Mean follow-up was 10.9months, with 100% of patients reporting resolution of at least one symptom. Aural fullness was the most commonly resolved symptom following surgical repair (n =19/22; 86%). Hearing loss (n =11/25; 44%) and tinnitus (n =11/38; 29%) were the most common symptoms to persist following surgery. The most common symptom to develop after surgery was disequilibrium (n =4/18; 22%). Upon comparing the overall pre-operative and post-operative groups, the number of patients with autophony (p <0.0001), aural fullness (p =0.0006), hearing loss (p =0.0119), disequilibrium (p =0.0002), sound- and pressure-induced vertigo (p &lt...
Source: Journal of Clinical Neuroscience - Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research