Case of the Week
Section Editors: Matylda Machnowska1 and Anvita Pauranik2
1University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
2BC Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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September 1, 2008
Transverse Temporal Bone Fracture with Pneumolabyrinth
- Pneumolabyrinth and pneumocochlea are rare after trauma and are generally due to fracture that crosses mastoid/middle ear and otic capsule.
- Patients with air in inner ear structures have worse prognosis and may develop CSF fistula.
- Air by itself in cochlea results in hearing loss, particularly if it is in scala vestibularis.
- Other causes of air in cochlea: fracture of stapes footplate, oval window penetration by prosthesis, post operative, idiopathic fistula
- Observation and antibiotics is treatment of choice unless air quantity increases, thus making surgical exploration of benefit.
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