FISTULES PERILYMPHATIQUES POST-TRAUMATIQUES POST-TRAUMATIC PERILYMPHATIC FISTULAE

Introduction: Post-traumatic perilymphatic fistula (PLF) realises an abnormal communication between the perilymphatic fluid compartment and the middle ear. Its diagnosis is often difficult because the clinical presentation is sometimes incomplete. Imaging is essential in order to support the diagnosis. Treatment is based on surgery. Materials and Methods: We carry a retrospective study about 13 patients collected over a period of 13 years (1996-2008). A complete ENT examination, audiometry and imaging (petrous CT scan) were performed in all cases. All patients received medical treatment and were operated under general anaesthesia. Subsequent control was clinical, radiological and audiometric with a mean period of 22 months. Results: Mean age was 29 years (20-47 years) and sex ratio 3.33. Symptoms were mainly hearing loss in 12 cases (92.3%), vertigo in 11 cases (84.6%) and tinnitus in 4 cases (30.8%). Flow of liquid from the ear was reported by 2 patients (15.4%). Clinical examination showed spontaneous nystagmus beating to the contralateral side of the trauma in one patient, and a positive sign of the fistula in 2 patients (15.4%). At audiometry, 9 patients (69.3%) had sensorineural or mixed deafness, of which 6 cases of cophosis. Transmission deafness was found in 3 cases. One patient had a subnormal hearing. Petrous CT scan showed extra-labyrinthic fracture in 5 cases (38.5%) and trans-labyrinthic or mixed fracture in 6 cases (46.2%). A pneumolabyrinth was found in 5 patients (38.5%). Surgical exploration was indicated in all patients. PLF was found in all cases. The localization of the fistula was at the promontory and / or at the windows. Blockage of the fistula was achieved in all cases. Materials used were essentially superficial temporal fascia, tragal perichondrium and fat. Postoperatively, vertigo improved in 9 patients among 11 (81.8%). Hearing was improved in 2 patients among the 9 having sensorineural or mixed deafness (18.2%). Conclusion: Post-traumatic perilymphatic fistula trauma is difficult to diagnose. This is supported by a beam of clinical and paraclinical arguments, and is confirmed intraoperatively. The indication for surgical exploration and its delay depend mainly on clinical symptomatology and its evolution over time.