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

• Nakanishi Hiroshi

  Department of Otolaryngology, Hamamatsu University, School of Medicine

• Mizuta Kunihiro

  Department of Otolaryngology, Hamamatsu University, School of Medicine

• Yamatodani Takashi

  Department of Otolaryngology, Hamamatsu University, School of Medicine

• Mineta Hiroyuki

  Department of Otolaryngology, Hamamatsu University, School of Medicine

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

Abstract

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

Keywords

• conductive hearing loss
• high resolution computed tomography
• exploratory tympanotomy
• facial nerve anomaly

Details

• CRID: 1390282679748389120
• NII Article ID: 10030646776
• NII Article ID: 130003373561
• NII Book ID: AN10358085
• DOI: 10.11289/otoljpn.22.153
• ISSN: 18841457
• ISSN: 09172025
• Web Site: https://search.jamas.or.jp/link/ui/2012313422
• Text Lang: ja
• Data Source:
  • JaLC
  • CiNii Articles
  • KAKEN
• Abstract License Flag: Disallowed