Comparative Analysis of CT and MRI in Diagnosis of Enlarged Vestibular Aqueduct Syndrome in Paediatric Candidates of Cochlear Implant

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of LVAS in children with cochlear implant and compared the findings of CT and MRI in terms of measurement of midpoint and external aperture diameters in paediatric candidates of cochlear implant.

Methodology: This was a cross-sectional comparative study that was conducted at a Armed Forces Institute of Radiology and Imaging, Rawalpindifrom 16th August, 2023 till 15th February, 2024. After the parents provided written informed consent, 110 children with cochlear implants were enrolled and examined using a temporal CT scan and an MRI. The results on both modalities were compared and statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for social Sciences version 25.0

Results: The mean age of the children was 3.9 2.09 years. Mean midpoint aperture diameter in patients with EVA on CT scan was 1.64 0.09 mm and on MRI was 1.71 0.13 mm (p=0.020). Mean external aperture diameter in children with EVA on CT scan was 2.52 0.40 mm and on MRI was 2.64 0.53 mm (p=0.000). EVA was present in 7 (6.4%) children on CT scan and 8 (7.3%) children on MRI.

Conclusion: In children with cochlear implant, there were significant differences in the midpoint and external aperture diameters as assessed by CT scan and MRI and MRI was able to diagnose more cases of LVAS compared to CT scan and thus should be preferred imaging modality.