Abstract:

Objective     To investigate the etiology, clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of cochlear fistula due to noncholesteatomatous chronic otitis media. Method    A retrospective investigation of a case of cochlear fistula due to noncholesteatomatous chronic otitis media and review of two cases (3 ears) previously reported in literatures were conducted. Results     There was no obvious decrease of bone conduction in these cases with cochlear fistula due to noncholesteatomatous chronic otitis media. No vertigo was complained by these cases and the results of fistula test were all negative. The endosteums in fistula were found to be intact during surgery. The bone conductions were slightly decreased after surgery. Conclusions     Mechanical pressure might not be essential to bone resorption, complete images of HRCT should be used to investigate the bone lesion in chronic otitis media to avoid missed diagnosis of cochlear fistula, complete removal of the lesion above the endosteum in cochlear fistula is necessary, and cochlear function is quite possible to be preserved by careful operation.

Key words: Cochlear fistula; Chronic otitis media; Surgery