Managing cholesteatomas with labyrinthine fistula

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: A retrospective study (2011 to 2018) was conducted to evaluate the management of cholesteatomas with labyrinthine fistulae (LFs), clinical characteristics and postoperative hearing outcomes in a hospital. Methods: Demographic data of patients with primary middle ear mastoidectomies for cholesteatoma were extracted. Preoperative high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) temporal bone and intraoperative findings, and hearing levels preoperatively and postoperatively were evaluated. Results: Of the middle ear cholesteatomas, 15.6% (n = 14) of ears were complicated by LF. HRCT scans showed 92.9% sensitivity and 94.7% specificity in the identification of LFs. Intraoperative findings of LFs include stapes erosion (78.6%), malleus erosion (78.6%), incus erosion (92.9%), dehiscence of tegmen tympani (28.6%) and tympanic facial canal (64.3%). Compared to the non-LF group, the LF group showed significantly higher incidence of stapes erosion (P < 0.001), tegmen tympani dehiscence (P = 0.016) and semicircular canal dehiscence (P < 0.001). Matrix was removed completely in 85.7% (n = 12) and was left behind in 14.3% (n = 2) of ears. Also, 21.5% (n = 3) had preoperative dead ears. Postoperative hearing results had a mean follow-up time of 2.1 (standard deviation 1.5, range 0.14–4.84) years. In the matrix removal group (n = 9), 77.9% had unchanged hearing levels, 11.1% showed improvement and 11.1% showed decrease in hearing levels. The matrix preservation group (n = 2) had deteriorated hearing levels. Conclusion: Preservation of hearing in LFs is possible with cautious matrix removal. Despite matrix preservation to preserve hearing in large LFs, our patients’ hearing deteriorated postoperatively. Longer follow-up of hearing with matrix preservation may show poorer hearing outcomes.