Abnormal Cochleovestibular Anatomy and Imaging: Lack of Consistency Across Quality of Images, Sequences Obtained, and Official Reports

Objectives: There are significant variations across centers on how to acquire and interpret imaging of children with congenital sensorineural hearing loss and cochleovestibular abnormalities. This study assesses the quality of imaging, sequences included, and accuracy of official radiology reports, to determine if these children are being assessed appropriately.

Methods: This study is retrospective review of CTs and MRIs from 40 pediatric patients diagnosed with profound sensorineural hearing loss and cochleovestibular structure/nerve abnormalities presenting to a tertiary referral academic center. Images were reviewed by two experienced neuroradiologists and a neurotologist. Findings were compared to official reports, when available.

Results: Twelve (30%) patients had an MRI only, while 28 (70%) had both an MRI and a CT. There were 3 (10.7%) CTs and 7 (17.5%) MRIs noted to be of poor quality. Children received an average of 6.8 (±2.7) CT acquisitions and 10.9 (±5.7) MRI acquisitions. There was non-concordance between the official report and expert review for 27 (71.1%) ears on CT and 27 (56.3%) ears on MRI.

Conclusions: These data demonstrate high variability in protocols and quality of medical imaging of children with sensorineural hearing loss. Interpretation of images is highly discordant between official reports and tertiary review. Given these results, we recommend that these children be imaged and evaluated at centers with neuroradiologists who are experienced in interpreting congenital abnormalities of the cochleovestibular system.