The internal acoustic canal--another review area in paediatric sensorineural hearing loss

Abstract

Morphological abnormalities of the internal acoustic canal (IAC), albeit rare, are sometimes associated with hearing loss in children. We present an illustration of the spectrum of IAC abnormalities together with a brief review of the embryology and anatomy of the IAC and the techniques used when imaging the petrous temporal bone. This review focuses on morphological abnormalities of the IAC together with their clinical implications and impact on clinical management.

Keywords: Child; Cochlear nerve; Computed tomography; Internal acoustic canal; Magnetic resonance imaging; Sensorineural hearing loss.