The significance of vascular loops in the internal auditory meatus : a true incidental imaging finding?

PURPOSE: To determine the clinical significance of vascular loops (VL) in the internal auditory meatus (IAM) and cerebellopontine angle (CPA).

METHODS: We carried out a retrospective case series in a tertiary referral centre. Out of 6978 patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the IAM for unilateral cochleovestibular symptoms we identified the ones with VLs and reviewed their medical notes. We performed a statistical correlation between the laterality of the VL in the IAM/ CPA as graded according to the Chavda classification (type 1 in the CPA, type 2 extending in the IAM, type 3 extending to the distal IAM end), the laterality of symptoms and the patient's age.

RESULTS: A total of 77 VL were identified in 64 patients (0.9%); 39 patients had the VL on the same side of the main symptom, while 25 patients had the VL on the contralateral side. There were 37 Type 1 loops, 29 Type 2 loops and 11 Type 3 loops. The comparison between the grading of the VL and the laterality of symptoms did not reach the level of significance (p = 0.321). There was also no association between the presence of the loop and the patients' age (p = 0.5). All patients were reassured and discharged without any representation in three years follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS: We did not identify any significant correlation between the laterality of VLs and the laterality of symptoms, irrespective of the grading of the loop or the patients' age. Such VLs should be considered an incidental rather than causal findings.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2019

Erschienen:

2019

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:276

Enthalten in:

European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery - 276(2019), 12 vom: 05. Dez., Seite 3275-3280

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Li, Lucy [VerfasserIn]
Amiraraghi, Natasha [VerfasserIn]
Begbie, Finn [VerfasserIn]
Kontorinis, Georgios [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

Hearing loss
Journal Article
Magnetic resonance imaging
Tinnitus

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 12.05.2020

Date Revised 10.01.2021

published: Print-Electronic

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.1007/s00405-019-05615-1

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM300959664