Roula Hourany MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

David Mark Yousem MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To determine the incidence of dehiscence between the vestibular aqueduct and the jugular bulb on CT scan and to assess the clinical implications of this variation.

200 temporal bone 0.5 mm thick CT scans were retrospectively evaluated for the prevalence of dehiscence between the jugular bulb and the vestibular aqueduct. Correlation of the imaging findings and the clinical data was performed.

22 patients (11%) had dehiscence of the jugular bulb and the vestibular aqueduct; among them, one had bilateral dehiscence (4.5%). 18 cases were on the right side (78.3%) and 5 on the left (21.7%). 7 of the 22 patients with dehiscence had dizziness (32%), 8 had hearing loss (36.4%), (71.4% and 87.5% on the same side as the dehiscence respectively), 17 of the 23 dehiscences occurred in a setting of high jugular bulb (74%). The overall incidence of high jugular bulb was 32.5%, bilateral in 24.6% of cases, 60.5% on the right side and 39.5% on the left.

The incidence of dehiscence of the jugular bulb and the vestibular aqueduct is 11%. It is more frequent on the right side (78.3%) and is associated with a high jugular bulb in 74%. The prevalence of vertigo and hearing loss associated with this finding is 32% and 36.4% respectively.

Hourany, R, Yousem, D, Dehiscence of the Jugular Bulb and Endolymphatic Aqueduct: Findings on 200 Consecutive Temporal Bone CT Scans.  Radiological Society of North America 2004 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2004 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2004/4404905.html