Vestibular abnormalities in charge association

Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 1997 Feb;106(2):129-34. doi: 10.1177/000348949710600207.

Abstract

We report the vestibular abnormalities in 5 patients with the CHARGE association (Coloboma, Heart disease, Atresia of choanae, Retarded growth and development and/or central nervous system anomalies, Genital hypoplasia, and Ear anomalies). All patients had absent vestibular function as indicated by absent vestibulo-ocular reflexes and severe imbalance on simultaneous deprivation of proprioception and vision, as well as delayed motor development. All 6 semicircular canals were aplastic in each of the patients. While cochlear function was severely reduced in 6 of the 10 ears, it was absent only in 3 ears and was actually intact below 3 kHz in 1 ear. All 10 bony cochleas were present on computed tomography, and although 7 appeared abnormal, 3 appeared normal. This study confirms that absence of the bony semicircular canals in the presence of a bony cochlea is a characteristic finding in CHARGE association. It also demonstrates that these disproportionate structural abnormalities are reflected in the functional abnormalities: absent vestibular function with preservation of some cochlear function.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Choanal Atresia / complications*
  • Cochlea / physiopathology
  • Coloboma / complications*
  • Coloboma / pathology
  • Female
  • Genitalia / abnormalities*
  • Hearing Disorders / complications*
  • Hearing Disorders / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Intellectual Disability / complications*
  • Male
  • Retina / pathology
  • Temporal Bone / abnormalities
  • Terminology as Topic*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed