gms | German Medical Science

76th Annual Meeting of the German Society of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery

German Society of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery

04.05. - 08.05.2005, Erfurt

The Aqueductus vestibuli-syndrome as a cause of the Deafness during partuition : two case reports

Meeting Abstract

  • corresponding author Christine Rasinski - ENT-Department, Halle, Germany
  • Dirk Anft - ENT-Department, Halle, Germany
  • Sylva Bartel-Friedrich - ENT-Department, Halle, Germany
  • Sabrina Koesling - Radiological Dpt., Halle, Germany
  • Marc Bloching - ENT-Department, Halle, Germany

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Hals-Chirurgie. 76. Jahresversammlung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Hals-Chirurgie e.V.. Erfurt, 04.-08.05.2005. Düsseldorf, Köln: German Medical Science; 2005. Doc05hno508

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.egms.de/en/meetings/hno2005/05hno134.shtml

Published: September 22, 2005

© 2005 Rasinski et al.
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Outline

Text

The large vestibular aqueduct is a frequently detected anomaly in computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Morphologically it correlates to an enlarged Ductus and Saccus endolymphaticus. The typical history of the patients shows a sudden sensorineural hearing loss, often associated with a minor head trauma. An increased transmission of intracranial pressure is discussed as a possible explanation of this phenomenon.

Two cases with large aqueductus vestibuli were demonstrated. Both female patients had a profound hearing loss and came to discuss a cochlear implant.One of the patients had noted a double-sided profound hearing loss while having contractions. The second patient

had a preexisting hearing loss since her first partuition that deteriorates one year later during her second partuition.The sensorineural hearing loss could be possibly explicated by an increase of intracranial pressure leading to a rupture of Reissners membrane.The frequency of the disease and other explanations leading to the clinical picture are discussed.