Sympathetic Cochleolabyrinthitis in Revision Stapedectomy Surgery

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether revision stapedectomy could precipitate sensorineural hearing loss in the contralateral ear. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of 148 patients undergoing primary or revision stapedectomy at an academic, tertiary care facility. RESULTS: Stapedectomy resulted in significant improvements in mean air conduction thresholds in the ipsilateral ear. Overall, there were no significant changes in either the air or bone conduction values of the contralateral ear. Two patients demonstrated a >20-dB decline in speech reception threshold and/or >20% decrease word recognition in the contralateral ear. Both of these patients demonstrated the decline only after revision surgery. CONCLUSION: Revision stapedectomy is on rare occasions associated with hearing loss in the contralateral ear. Contralateral hearing loss after revision stapedectomy may be due to sympathetic cochleolabyrinthitis.