Closure of Congenital Semicircular Dehiscence in the First 10 Years of Life.

PURPOSE: To assess the long-term progression of semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD), particularly with regard to size expansion or possible ossification during physical development.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This retrospective study screened all patients under the age of three who underwent HRCT between 2006 and 2013 for varies indications, e.g. diagnosis of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), acute mastoiditis, or to evaluate for cochlear implantation. The study population was also screened for the presence of follow-up imaging. Only patients with imaging data available after at least two years or more were included in the study. Demographic data, clinical symptoms, and imaging findings were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The imaging findings of semicircular canal dehiscence were categorized by location and severity, and the long-term development was evaluated. More than 1500 HRCTs of the temporal bone taken in children ages 0 to 10 years old from 2006 to 2025 were additionally examined for the presence of SCC dehiscence.

RESULTS

Of the 586 HRCT scans performed on young patients under three years of age, 93 examinations for which follow-up examinations were available two or more years later could be recorded. These were distributed among 32 children with an average age of 11.3 ± 7.4 months (range 3-24 months). At the time of initial imaging (baseline examination), 46 SCDs of the superior or posterior semicircular canal were identified. A total of 36 ears were affected. In the subsequent HRCT examination, conducted 2-13 years later, the extent of bone coverage was consistently quantifiable. The mean thickness of the bone over the site of the previous dehiscence was 1 mm (range 0.2-3.3 mm).

CONCLUSION

In the vast majority of cases, the SCC dehiscence observed in studies of the temporal bones of young children will be covered by normal bone growth by puberty. This suggests that SCC dehiscence does not persist from birth into adulthood, and instead it supports the theory of an acquired pathogenesis of SCC dehiscence.

KEY POINTS: · In children, SSCD is most likely to be completely covered by skull growth.. · Clinically significant SSCD in adults is most likely to be acquired (not present since childhood).. · There is a high prevalence of SCCD between the ages of 0-6 and 6-12 months.. · SSCD occurs more frequently than PSCD overall.. · The prevalence of SCCD decreases as age increases..

CITATION FORMAT: · Döring K, Lanfermann H, Warnecke A et al. Closure of Congenital Semicircular Dehiscence in the First 10 Years of Life. Rofo 2025; DOI 10.1055/a-2725-8648.