Traumatic Events Preceding the Development of Superior Canal Dehiscence Syndrome

• Published in: Otolaryngology-head and neck surgery 2024-07, Vol.171 (1), p.212-217
• Main Authors: Formeister, Eric J., Krishnan, Pavan S., Schoo, Desi P., Andresen, Nicholas, Sayyid, Zahra, Wei, Oren, Carey, John P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Craniocerebral Trauma - complications; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Semicircular Canal Dehiscence - complications; superior canal dehiscence syndrome; Surveys and Questionnaires; temporal bone; trauma
• ISSN: 0194-5998; 1097-6817; 1097-6817
• DOI: 10.1002/ohn.697

Objective To describe the features of antecedent head trauma in patients with superior canal dehiscence syndrome (SCDS). Study Design Cross‐sectional survey. Setting Tertiary referral center. Methods An online survey was sent to 450 adult patients who underwent surgical repair for SCDS patients asking questions about the nature of internal or external traumatic events preceding symptoms. Results One‐hundred and thirty‐six patients (avg. age, 51.9 years, 62.8% female) completed the survey, of which 61 (44.9%) described either preceding external head trauma (n = 35, 26%), preceding internal pressure event (n = 33, 25%), or both (8, 6%). Of those endorsing external trauma, 22 (63%) described a singular event (head hit by object (n = 8); head hit ground (n = 5); motor vehicle accident (n = 4); assault (n = 2); other (n = 3). One‐third experienced loss of consciousness because of the trauma. For those describing internal pressure events (n = 33), the most common events were heavy physical exertion (9, 27%); pressure changes while flying (6, 18%); coughing, nose blowing with illness (5, 15%); childbirth (5, 15%); and self contained underwater breathing apparatus diving events (3, 9%). The interval between trauma and onset of symptoms averaged 5.6 years (SD, 10.7 years). One‐third (n = 19) described onset of symptoms immediately after the external trauma or internal pressure event. Symptoms began on the side ipsilateral to the trauma in 91%. Sound‐ and pressure‐induced vertigo/oscillopsia developed more commonly after external trauma versus internal pressure events (68% and 61% vs 44% and 32%, respectively). Conclusion Trauma or internal pressure‐related events precede SCDS symptoms in nearly half of cases, with roughly half of preceding events being external.