The narrow vestibular aquaeduct. An unspecific radiological sign?

Tomography of the vestibular aquaeduct was carried out in patients with Ménière's disease, patients with chronic otitis and in patients without ear disorders. Visualization of the vestibular aquaeduct was evaluated blindly. The descending part of the aquaeduct was clearly visible in 95% of patients without ear disease. In the other groups, including contralateral non-affected ears in Ménière patients, the aquaeduct was clearly visible in only about 50%. The incidence of narrow or invisible aquaeducts in ducts in Ménière patients and in patients with chronic otitis was essentially the same. This radiologic finding seems to be an unspecific sign, present possibly in a variety of ear disorders.