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Narrow, duplicated internal auditory canal

  • Diagnostic Neuroradiology
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Abstract

A narrow internal auditory canal (IAC) constitutes a relative contraindication to cochlear implantation because it is associated with aplasia or hypoplasia of the vestibulocochlear nerve or its cochlear branch. We report an unusual case of a narrow, duplicated IAC, divided by a bony septum into a superior relatively large portion and an inferior stenotic portion, in which we could identify only the facial nerve. This case adds support to the association between a narrow IAC and aplasia or hypoplasia of the vestibulocochlear nerve. The normal facial nerve argues against the hypothesis that the narrow IAC is the result of a primary bony defect which inhibits the growth of the vestibulocochlear nerve.

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Fig. 1a–f.
Fig. 2a–d.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Serviço de Neurorradiologia, Hospital Garcia de Orta, Avenida Torrado da Silva, 2801-951, Almada, Portugal

    T. Ferreira

  2. Department of Radiology, UCLA Oliveview School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA

    B. Shayestehfar

  3. Department of Radiology, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA

    R. Lufkin

Authors
  1. T. Ferreira
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  2. B. Shayestehfar
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  3. R. Lufkin
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Correspondence to T. Ferreira.

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Ferreira, T., Shayestehfar, B. & Lufkin, R. Narrow, duplicated internal auditory canal. Neuroradiology 45, 308–310 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-003-0957-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-003-0957-5

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