Middle ear malformations combined with cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea: A case report.
Ya Liu, Yaping Xu
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
A 17-year-old male presented with right-sided hearing loss lasting over 7 years, with otoscopic examination revealing a tympanic membrane perforation. Intraoperative findings included partial dehiscence of the facial nerve canal and agenesis of the incus, alongside a suspected cerebrospinal fluid leak. Surgical intervention involved repairing the fissure and reconstructing the ossicular chain, leading to closure of the perforation and improved hearing at follow-up.
What made this case unusual
This case is notable for the combination of middle ear malformations with presumed cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea, a rare clinical presentation.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
Clinicians should consider the possibility of cerebrospinal fluid leakage in patients with middle ear malformations presenting with conductive hearing loss.
Why it matters
Understanding the association between middle ear malformations and cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea can guide appropriate surgical management and improve patient outcomes.