Value of head CT angiography in the diagnosis of sudden deafness in the elderly

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of (CT angiography,CTA) in the diagnosis of sudden deafness in the elderly.Methods Thirty-eight cases of sudden deafness were analyzed and divided into 2 groups,according to age:the elderly group ( ≥60 years old,20 cases),the middle-aged and young group ( ＜60 years old,18 cases).Patients in the 2 groups were all given CTA to determine if there was intracranial artery stenosis.Results Sixteen cases in the elderly group and 6 cases in the middle-aged and young group were detected to have intracranial artery stenosis,having a morbidity rate of 80.0％ and 33.3％ respectively.There was statistical significance in the morbidity of intracranial artery stenosis,when a comparison was made between the 2 groups (P ＜0.01 ).56.1％ cases of intracranial artery stenosis in the elderly group occurred in posterior circulation.Conclusions Elderly people with sudden deafness have a higher incidence of cerebral arterial stenosis in posterior circulation,suggesting that elderly patients with sudden deafness could be induced by intracranial atherosclerosis or ischemia-induced infarction.For elderly patients with sudden deafness,CTA could be used to evaluate the seriousness of cerebral arterial stenosis,and to provide clinical evidence for the treatment of the disease. Key words: Sudden deafness;  Elderly;  Head CT angiography;  Posterior circulation