Power reflectance as a screening tool for the diagnosis of superior semicircular canal dehiscence.

HYPOTHESIS: Power reflectance (PR) measurements in ears with superior canal dehiscence (SCD) have a characteristic pattern, the detection of which can assist in diagnosis.

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to determine whether PR coupled with a novel detection algorithm can perform well as a fast, noninvasive, and easy screening test for SCD. The screening test aimed to determine whether patients with various vestibular and/or auditory symptom(s) should be further considered for more expensive and invasive tests that better define the diagnosis of SCD (and other third-window lesions).

METHODS

Power reflectance was measured in patients diagnosed with SCD by high-resolution computed tomography. The study included 40 ears from 32 patients with varying symptoms (e.g., with and without conductive hearing loss, vestibular symptoms, and abnormal auditory sensations).

RESULTS

Power reflectance results were compared to previously published norms and showed that SCD is commonly associated with a PR notch near 1 kHz. An analysis algorithm was designed to detect such notches and to quantify their incidence in affected and normal ears. Various notch detection thresholds yielded sensitivities of 80% to 93%, specificities of 69% to 72%, negative predictive values of 84% to 93%, and a positive predictive value of 67%.

CONCLUSION

This study shows evidence that PR measurements together with the proposed notch-detecting algorithm can be used to quickly and effectively screen patients for third-window lesions such as SCD in the early stages of a diagnostic workup.