A case of congenital absence of the oval window: Acquisition of good hearing thresholds after cochlear drill-out

DOI 18 References

Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • 内耳開窓術にて良好な術後聴力を得た先天性卵円窓欠損例

Search this article

Description

Congenital absence of the oval window is a rare middle ear anomaly. In general, patients with middle ear anomalies are considered candidates for surgery to rehabilitate hearing loss. However, surgery in cases of congenital absence of the oval window is challenging because of the possibility of surgical complications. We report a case of congenital absence of the oval window wherein hearing thresholds improved after a cochlear drill-out procedure was performed.<BR>An 8-year-old boy was referred to our hospital with a complaint of bilateral hearing loss. Audiometry revealed bilateral conductive hearing loss. High-resolution computed tomography showed absence of the stapes and displacement of the long process of the incus, in both ears. We suspected congenital ossicular anomaly: therefore, an exploratory tympanotomy was performed in his right ear.<BR>The absence of the oval window and the stapes was confirmed by surgery. Even though the tip of the long process of the incus was attached to the vertical portion of the facial canal, ossicular mobility was found to be satisfactory. Because no facial nerve anomaly was observed, cochlear drilled-out was performed, and a Tefron-wire piston was attached to the manubrium of the malleus. The average hearing thresholds of the right ear improved from 65.0 to 23.3 dB after surgery.<BR>Air-conduction hearing aids, bone-anchored hearing aids, and cochlear drill-out procedures are considered for the treatment of congenital absence of the oval window. The hearing outcomes of the cochlear drill-out procedure are excellent, and patients receiving this treatment do not require hearing devices. Therefore, this method was considered to be effective for the treatment of congenital absence of the oval window.

Journal

  • Otology Japan

    Otology Japan 22 (2), 153-158, 2012

    Japan Otological Society

References(18)*help

See more

Related Projects

See more

Keywords

Details 詳細情報について

Report a problem

Back to top