Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The clinical reflection of isolated vestibular anomaly with normal cochlea is poorly understood due to the fact that isolated vestibules have been rarely reported to date. This study aimed to describe the radiological and clinical findings of isolated vestibular anomaly.

MATERIALS and METHODS: Eleven ears of eight patients with only a radiological diagnosis of complete fusion of the vestibule and lateral semicircular canal with normal cochlea and normal vestibular aqueduct on high-resolution computed tomography were identified. The clinical records were analysed.

RESULTS: Three patients were affected bilaterally and five patients were affected unilaterally. One ear was excluded due to chronic middle ear disease. The fused vestibule-lateral semicircular canal was associated with superior semicircular canal and/or posterior semicircular canal dysplasia in eight ears. The hearing capacity was as follows: normal in four ears; mixed hearing loss in four ears; conductive hearing loss in one ear; and sensorineural hearing loss in one ear. Vestibular tests were normal in seven patients. One patient had orthostatic hypotension.

CONCLUSION: Isolated vestibular anomaly may be associated with normal hearing, sensorineural hearing loss, conductive hearing loss, or mixed hearing loss, and may not cause imbalance.