Evaluation of Brain Structures’ Volume Using vol2Brain Software in Patients with Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Background: Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is an otolaryngologic emergency that, if left untreated, may result in permanent hearing loss. Our aim was to investigate the morphological effects in areas known as auditory centers in patients with idiopathic SSNHL (ISSNHL). Materials and Methods: In this study, magnetic resonance imaging's (MRIs) of 22 patients with ISSNHL (study group) and 31 patients without ISSNHL and any neurological disorder (control group) between January 2013 and January 2021 in a tertiary university hospital were retrospectively evaluated in which the volumes and percentages of gray and white matters of the brain, temporal lobe, and brainstem were calculated with an online MRI brain volumetry system known as fully automatic pipeline (vol2Brain). Results: It was found that the brain areas known as the hearing center had a smaller volume in patients with ISSHNL than in normal individuals. Age and gender were found to be effective in volumetric calculations. Conclusıon: Studies that can preserve brain volume for patients with ISSNHL can be included in treatment practices. More literature and clinical research are needed as there is no proven treatment for ISSNHL. Our study findings will support the literature in this regard. Keywords: brain, magnetic resonance imaging, sudden sensorineural hearing loss, vol2brain, volume