Evaluation of cochlear nerve size by magnetic resonance imaging in elderly patients with sensorineural hearing loss

Purpose. We aimed to determine any differences, if present, between the cross-sectional area of the cochlear nerve (CN) of elderly patients with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and of young patients with normal hearing. Materials and methods. The study group included ten patients with age-related SNHL. Fourteen volunteer individuals with normal hearing were recruited as the control group. T1-weighted, T2-weighted and parasagittal three-dimensional Fourier transformation constructive interference in steady state (3DFT-CISS) reconstruction images of all cases were evaluated. Images were examined for any abnormality of CN. The data obtained for each ear with clinical, radiological and audiometric examinations were evaluated. Results. The mean CN cross-sectional area was measured as 0.0252 cm(2) in the control group, whereas that in the SNHL group was 0.0232 cm(2). Although speech discrimination scores showed significant differences, no statistically significant difference was observed for the CN cross-sectional area (p=0.0616). Likewise, there was no difference in CN calibre between male and female patients. Conclusions. The 3DFT-CISS sequence yields superior results in CN imaging. Acquired SNHL may not present with significant changes in CN size on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).