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Perilymphatic fistula in children with preexisting sensorineural hearing loss
Author(s) -
Pappps Dennis G.,
Simpson L. Clark,
Godwin George H.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1288/00005537-198805000-00006
Subject(s) - medicine , fistula , sensorineural hearing loss , deformity , middle ear , hearing loss , inner ear , audiology , surgery , radiography , radiology
Progression of preexisting sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in infants and children has been considered an indication for fistula exploration: is this approach warranted? On exploring 36 middle ears in 26 such children, we found a perilymphatic fistula (PLF) in four ears (11%). Although there was radiographic evidence of inner‐ear deformity in one half of these children, a definite fistula was found in only four of 18 radiographically abnormal ears explored (22%). Even in the four patients with a history of an “event” that could implicate a fistula such as exertion or barotrauma, a fistula was found in only one. There are a number of possible causes for progression of a preexisting SNHL, and surgical exploration of the middle ear should not be recommended on the basis of progression alone. Instead, exploration for a suspected PLF should be strongly considered when there is also a history of an “event,” and/or radiographic evidence of inner‐ear abnormalities. Even under these conditions, one should be aware that fistulae are not likely to be found.