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Objective: To investigate rates of obesity and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients with a diagnosis of superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD)., Study Design: Retrospective cohort study., Setting: Two tertiary referral centers., Patients: Thirty-one patients with SSCD were identified from patient records at Yale between January 1, 2003 and August 1, 2013 and from the University of Cincinnati between November 1, 2008 and November 1, 2013. The control cohort consisted of 100 consecutive adult patients who obtained high-resolution CT imaging of their temporal bones at Yale University for any reason., Interventions: CT images were reviewed by two authors in double blind fashion and patient data was analyzed statistically., Main Outcome Measures: Rates of OSA, body mass index (BMI), and presence of tegmental defects in patients with SSCD were compared to the control cohort., Results: The 31 patients with SSCD demonstrated higher BMIs [SSCD avg. 31.62, standard deviation (SD) 8.6 vs. no SSCD 28.01, SD 6.3, P = 0.036], rates of OSA (SSCD 29.03% vs. no SSCD 7.00, P = 0.001), and rates of tegmental defects (SSCD avg. 64.5% vs. no SSCD 16%, P = 1.24 × 10(-7)), in comparison to the control cohort. SSCD was found in 6 of 100 consecutively reviewed adult CT scans and in 0 of 41 scans obtained in those under 17 years of age., Conclusions: Patients with SSCD demonstrated higher BMIs, higher rates of OSA, and were more likely to have accompanying tegmental defects. These results may support a possible causality between increased intracranial pressure and the formation of superior semicircular canal dehiscence.

Objective: To investigate the association between semicircular canal dehiscence (SCD) and Chiari type I malformation (CM-I)., Design: Retrospective case series., Setting: Military tertiary referral center., Patients: Adult patients with SCD., Intervention: Review of records of patients diagnosed as having SCD for the radiologic diagnosis of CM-I and presenting symptoms., Main Outcome Measures: The prevalence of CM-I among patients with SCD and the presenting symptoms of patients with SCD with and without a coexistent CM-I., Results: Of 32 patients diagnosed as having SCD, 30 underwent magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. Seven patients (23%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 12%-41%) were found to have a CM-I. Chiari type I malformation was associated with superior SCD in 3 of 26 patients (12%; 95% CI, 3%-30%). Of 10 patients with bilateral superior SCD, 2 (20%; 95% CI, 5%-52%) had a CM-I. Five of 6 patients (83%; 95% CI, 42%-99%) had a CM-I with unilateral or bilateral posterior SCD. Twenty-nine records were reviewed for presenting symptoms, and no significant difference was observed between patients with SCD alone and those with an associated CM-I (P = .09-.64)., Conclusions: Among patients with SCD, the prevalence of CM-I is elevated. This association is especially marked in patients with posterior SCD. This finding suggests a relationship between CM-I and SCD, particularly with posterior SCD.