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Third mobile window associated with suspected otosclerotic foci in two patients with an air–bone gap

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 August 2010

V Van Rompaey*
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
J Potvin
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
L van den Hauwe
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
P Van de Heyning
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Vincent Van Rompaey, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Antwerp, Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650 Edegem, Belgium Fax: +32 3 825 44 51 E-mail: vincent.vanrompaey@ua.ac.be

Abstract

Objective:

To demonstrate the need for computed tomography imaging of the temporal bone in patients clinically suspected of otosclerosis who present with atypical symptoms or audiological findings.

Case reports:

We present two patients with bilateral conductive hearing loss and suspected otosclerosis in whom third mobile window lesions were revealed. The first patient had bilateral large vestibular aqueducts and bilateral fenestral otosclerotic foci. Computed tomography imaging of the second case revealed bilateral superior semicircular canal dehiscence and bilateral cochlear clefts, mimicking an otosclerotic focus in the fissula ante fenestram.

Conclusion:

Differentiating third mobile window lesions from otosclerosis as the cause of a conductive hearing loss is essential before considering stapes surgery, as such treatment would be unnecessary and potentially harmful.

Type
Clinical Records
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2010

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