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Duplicate internal auditory canals with facial and vestibulocochlear nerve dysfunction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 August 2011

T Y Kew  and
A Abdullah
T Y Kew*
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, Medical Faculty, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
A Abdullah
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical Faculty, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Thean Yean Kew, Department of Radiology, Medical Faculty, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Fax: +60391737824 E-mail: tykew@email.com
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Abstract

Objective:

We report an extremely rare case of duplication of the internal auditory canal associated with dysfunction of both the facial and vestibulocochlear nerves. We also review the literature regarding the integrity of the facial and vestibulocochlear nerves in such cases.

Case report:

A 34-year-old man presented with unilateral, right-sided, sensorineural hearing loss and facial nerve palsy since childhood. Facial nerve function was observed to be House–Brackmann grade III. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated ipsilateral duplicate, vacant internal auditory canals. Based on the clinical presentation, we interpreted these radiological findings as aplasia of the vestibulocochlear nerve and severe hypoplasia of the facial nerve.

Conclusion:

To our best knowledge, this is the first report of vestibulocochlear nerve aplasia and severe facial nerve hypoplasia in a case of ipsilateral duplication of the internal auditory canal. High resolution gradient echo magnetic resonance imaging sequences are advocated for assessment of neural integrity in patients with an abnormal internal auditory canal and facial and/or vestibulocochlear nerve dysfunction.

Keywords

Facial ParalysisHearing Loss, SensorineuralTinnitusAbnormalities, Temporal Bone

Information

Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 126 , Issue 1 , January 2012 , pp. 66 - 71
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2011

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