Introduction:

neurovascular compression of the vestibulocochlear nerve by vascular loops of the anteroinferior cerebellar artery is considered a cause of neuroacoustic symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging has contributed to assessing the vestibulocochlear nerve and the vasculature around it, with multiple advantages as it is non-invasive and provides more detailed anatomical visualization of the internal auditory canal and the cerebellopontine angle.

Objective:

to know the prevalence of vascular loops of the anteroinferior cerebellar artery in the internal auditory canal in the magnetic resonance studies carried out in the Magnetic Resonance Service of Hospital Angeles Pedregal.

Results:

150 patients (75 women, 75 men) between 16 and 85 years old were included. 300 ears were analyzed. The most frequent loop type was grade I of the Chavda classification (right: 22.7%, left: 14%). Detection, according to the objective of the study, was focused on the brain (grade I: 24.7%, grade II: 11.3%, grade III: 5%), focused on the ear (grade I: 12%, grade II: 7.3%, grade III: 2.7%). 37% of the ears evaluated were standard.

Conclusions:

the vascular loops of the anteroinferior cerebellar artery are a frequent condition, demonstrating its detection in studies not only focused on the ears.