OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the incidence of non-functioning posterior communicating arteries (PCoA) of the circle of Willis in patients presenting with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL). BACKGROUND: Pathogenesis of SSHL remains unclear despite several theories. A strong association between non-functioning PCoA of the circle of Willis and SSHL has been recently suggested, supporting the theory of vascular disorders. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ultrasonographic Doppler flow measurements of the vertebrobasilar system were performed prospectively in 27 consecutive patients with idiopathic SSHL and in 27 healthy subjects. RESULTS: A non-functioning PCoA was found in 4 patients with idiopathic SSHL and in 4 cases in the control group. CONCLUSION: The results of our study did not show any association between non-functioning PCoA of the circle of Willis and idiopathic SSHL, contrasting with previous data. We do not recommend adding routine transcranial Doppler ultrasonography in the test-battery for SSHL.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the incidence of non-functioning posterior communicating arteries (PCoA) of the circle of Willis in patients presenting with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL). BACKGROUND: Pathogenesis of SSHL remains unclear despite several theories. A strong association between non-functioning PCoA of the circle of Willis and SSHL has been recently suggested, supporting the theory of vascular disorders. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ultrasonographic Doppler flow measurements of the vertebrobasilar system were performed prospectively in 27 consecutive patients with idiopathic SSHL and in 27 healthy subjects. RESULTS: A non-functioning PCoA was found in 4 patients with idiopathic SSHL and in 4 cases in the control group. CONCLUSION: The results of our study did not show any association between non-functioning PCoA of the circle of Willis and idiopathic SSHL, contrasting with previous data. We do not recommend adding routine transcranial Doppler ultrasonography in the test-battery for SSHL.