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Perilymph fistula—a diagnostic dilemma

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

Eero Vartiainen ,
Juhani Nuutinen ,
Seppo Karjalainen  and
Kalkvi Nykänfn
Eero Vartiainen
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland.
Juhani Nuutinen*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland.
Seppo Karjalainen
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland.
Kalkvi Nykänfn
Affiliation:
Central Hospital, Mikkeli, Finland.
*
Prof. Juhani Nuutinen, Department of Otolaryngology, University Central Hospital, SF-70210 Kuopio, Finland.
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Abstract

A retrospective series is presented of 51 cases operated on for suspected perilymph fistula. In 26 ears a fistula was identified at surgery. A positive fistula test was found to strongly indicate a perilymph fistula but was more often negative than positive in surgically demonstrated fistula ears. Other vestibular tests were found to be of little value in the pre-operative diagnosis. Ears with a surgically demonstrated fistula and sensorineural hearing loss had either flat or downward-sloping audiograms. Difficulties in diagnosing a perilymph fistula at tympanotomy are discussed. At follow-up, vestibular symptoms were found to be eliminated or improved in 96 per cent of cases with surgically demonstrated fistulae and in 68 per cent of cases in which no fistula was detected at tympanotomy but hearing improved significantly in only one ear (4 per cent) of the former group and in five ears (20 per cent) of the latter group.

Keywords

Perilymph fistula
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 105 , Issue 4 , April 1991 , pp. 270 - 273
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1991

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