Delayed Recovery in Pediatric Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss Predicted via Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Objectives: To evaluate the potential origins via magnetic resonance imaging and the relevant hearing recovery course of pediatric sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data of 25 pediatric patients from our center with sudden sensorineural hearing loss from January 2011 to December 2016. All individuals were closely followed up at baseline and 1 and 6 months. Results: Magnetic resonance imaging identified presumed causes in 9 cases, 5 of which showed intralabyrinthine hyperintensity, suggesting presumptive intralabyrinthine hemorrhage. The remaining 20 patients showed no hyperintensity. Restoration of hearing and speech discrimination abilities were noted in these 25 children at 6 months versus the initial levels (74.2 +/- 22.6 vs 93.5 +/- 20.5 dB, p = .000, and 45.8 +/- 36.0 vs. 18.3 +/- 22.1%, p = .004, respectively). The prognosis of the individuals with intralabyrinthine hemorrhage were superior in terms of frequency and hearing threshold at 6 months compared with that of the no-hemorrhage participants. Word recognition scores improved in either studied group. Conclusion: The potential recovery of hearing in children raises concerns about very early surgical intervention within the first 6 months. Rational imaging and sequential audiometric evaluation to monitor the progression of recovery may be beneficial.