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KMID : 0361020080510121081
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Korean Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
2008 Volume.51 No. 12 p.1081 ~ p.1087
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Pneumolabyrinth Associated with Otic Capsule-Violating Fracture: Diagnosis and Clinical Features
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Ko Il-Ju
Lee Hye-Jeong
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Abstract
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Background and Objectives :Pneumolabyrinth, the presence of air in the inner ear is an evidence of a pathological connection between the fluid-filled space of inner ear and the air-filled space of mastoid/middle ear cavity. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical characteristics of pneumolabyrinth combined with temporal bone fracture.
Subjects and Method :Among 51 patients with temporal bone fracture, those who visited a secondary referral center between January 2005 to March 2008, 6 patients (7 ears, one bilateral case) with pneumolabyrinth were selected for a retrospective review on their medical records and radiologic findings.
Results:All six patients were male, and had concomitant otic capsule-violating fracture in the affected side. All pneumolabyrinths were diagnosed in the CT images taken on the date of trauma, and in one case, the pneumolabyrinth disappeared in a follow-up CT which was taken after 5 days. Six affected ears out of 5 patients showed profound sensorineural hearing loss and one patient with down-sloping severe sensorineural hearing loss showed partial recovery of hearing threshold a month later. Vestibular function tests were performed in four cases and vestibular weaknesses were identified in all affected ears.
Conclusion:Immediate high-resolution CT might improve the detection rate of pneumolabyrinth combined with temporal bone fracture. Otic capsule-disrupting fracture has been considered to be synonymous with irreversibly severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss, but one case showed partial recovery in this study. Follow-up audiometric tests are needed to check the recovery of hearing threshold.
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KEYWORD
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Skull fractures, Bony labyrinth, Temporal bone, Sensorineural hearing loss
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