Prevalence of Asymptomatic Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence on High Resolution CT scan in Omani Population.

Abstract

Objectives: Incidental detection of superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) in patients without symptoms may lead to misinterpretation if not correlated with clinical presentation, examination findings, and vestibular function testing. This study aimed to assess the rate of radiological SSCD in the asymptomatic Omani population, as the first study of its kind in the country and the Gulf region.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of all asymptomatic patients who underwent high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the temporal bones at a tertiary care facility between 2017 and 2021. Dedicated consultant neuroradiologists evaluated both superior semicircular canals (SSCs) for evidence of dehiscence.

Results: Nineteen of 470 ears showed radiological SSCD, giving a prevalence of 4.1% (95% confidence interval = 2.1-8.1). Seven patients (14 ears) had bilateral dehiscence. The mean defect size was 1.3 mm. Females constituted 52% of the 19 patients, and no significant gender difference was observed (P = 0.68).

Conclusion: Radiological SSCD was found in 4.1% of asymptomatic patients on HRCT, comparable to previous reports and substantially higher than post-mortem estimates of asymptomatic SSCD. Therefore, cautious interpretation of HRCT findings is recommended in asymptomatic individuals, with consideration of clinical and audiovestibular assessments.