Pediatric internal auditory canal volume: age-related changes and sex differences in a cohort of 340 ears
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, cilt.48, sa.1, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 48 Sayı: 1
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s00276-025-03777-8
- Dergi Adı: Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Natural Science Collection (ProQuest), Biological Science Database (ProQuest), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Pharma Collection (ProQuest)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: 3D volumetric analysis, Computed tomography, Internal auditory canal, Pediatric temporal bone, Otology
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Purpose: To demonstrate 3D volumetric computed tomography (CT) analysis of the internal auditory canal (IAC) in a large pediatric population and to evaluate the relationship between age, sex, and IAC mid-point diameters. Methods: The study population comprised children between 0 and 16 years of age who underwent temporal bone CT. Five males and five females were included in each age group. The IAC mid-point diameters were measured, and a three-dimensional volumetric reconstruction analysis was made. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to detect thresholds for the IAC volumes. Results: A total of 340 ears were evaluated. IAC volume increases with age, most significantly from ages 0–4 to > 4 years. A moderate and significant monotonic increase in IAC volume with age for both the left and right sides were found (r = 0.37, p < 0.001). A ROC analysis revealed that the optimal threshold for the mean IAC volume was 147 mm3. IAC volumes above this threshold indicated a child aged over four years, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.76. This threshold yielded a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 62%. No significant differences in IAC volume were observed between the right and left sides or between sexes across all age groups. Conclusion: The current study provides normative 3D volumetric benchmarks for pediatric IAC development, underscoring its accelerated growth in early childhood and supporting anatomical precision in radiological assessment and otologic surgery.