Power reflectance as a screening tool for the diagnosis of superior semicircular canal dehiscence

Gabrielle R. Merchant, Christof Roösli, Marlien E F Niesten, Mohamad A. Hamade, Daniel J. Lee, Melissa L. McKinnon, Cagatay H. Ulku, John J. Rosowski, Saumil N. Merchant, Hideko Heidi Nakajima*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Hypothesis: Power reflectance (PR) measurements in ears with superior canal dehiscence (SCD) have a characteristic pattern, the detection of which can assist in diagnosis.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine whether PR coupled with a novel detection algorithm can perform well as a fast, noninvasive, and easy screening test for SCD. The screening test aimed to determine whether patients with various vestibular and/or auditory symptom(s) should be further considered for more expensive and invasive tests that better define the diagnosis of SCD (and other third-window lesions).

Methods: Power reflectance was measured in patients diagnosed with SCD by high-resolution computed tomography. The study included 40 ears from 32 patients with varying symptoms (e.g., with and without conductive hearing loss, vestibular symptoms, and abnormal auditory sensations).

Results: Power reflectance results were compared to previously published norms and showed that SCD is commonly associated with a PR notch near 1 kHz. An analysis algorithm was designed to detect such notches and to quantify their incidence in affected and normal ears. Various notch detection thresholds yielded sensitivities of 80% to 93%, specificities of 69% to 72%, negative predictive values of 84% to 93%, and a positive predictive value of 67%.

Conclusion: This study shows evidence that PR measurements together with the proposed notch-detecting algorithm can be used to quickly and effectively screen patients for thirdwindow lesions such as SCD in the early stages of a diagnostic workup.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)172-177
Number of pages6
JournalOtology & Neurotology
Volume36
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 20 Jan 2015

Keywords

  • Admittance
  • Energy reflectance
  • Power reflectance
  • Reflectance
  • Superior canal dehiscence
  • Superior semicircular canal dehiscenceVWideband acoustic immittance.

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