Skip to main content

Perilymphatic Fistula

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Textbook of Clinical Otolaryngology

Abstract

Perilymphatic fistula, which is an abnormal connection between the labyrinth and the structures surrounding it, presents clinically with fluctuating hearing loss, vertigo, and tinnitus. Patients may have Hennebert sign and a positive fistula test. Perilymphatic fistula is a diagnostic challenge; audiometry and electronystagmography can be beneficial to help in the diagnosis. In some instances, the middle ear has to be explored to confirm the diagnosis. Bed rest, head elevation, and avoiding straining may be the only things needed to treat this condition. However, if conservative measures fail, then surgery may be necessary. This chapter will talk in more detail regarding this condition in terms of the clinical manifestation, diagnostic tools needed, possible etiology, and management options.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Flint P, Haughey B, Lund V, Niparko J, Robbins K, Regan Thomas J, Lesperance M. Cummings otolaryngology. 6th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2014.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Watkinson JC, Clarke RW. Scott-Brown’s otorhinolaryngology and head and neck surgery. 8th ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; 2018.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  3. Snow JB, Ashley Wackym P. Ballenger’s otorhinolaryngology and head and neck surgery. 17th ed. Connecticut: People’s Medical Publishing House; 2008.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Kita AE, Kim I, Ishiyama G, Ishiyama A. Perilymphatic fistula after penetrating ear trauma. Clin Pract Cases Emerg Med. 2019;3(2):115–8. https://doi.org/10.5811/cpcem.2019.1.37404.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  5. Hazell JW, Fraser JG, Robinson PJ. Positional audiometry in the diagnosis of perilymphatic fistula. Am J Otol. 1992;13(3):263–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Hornibrook J. A balance test for chronic perilymph fistula. Int J Otolaryngol. 2012;2012:163691. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/163691.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  7. Daspit CP, Churchill D, Linthicum FH Jr. Diagnosis of perilymph fistula using ENG and impedance. Laryngoscope. 1980;90(2):217–23.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Delaroche O, Bordure P, Lippert E, Sagniez M. Perilymph detection by beta2-transferrin immunoblotting assay. Application to the diagnosis of perilymphatic fistulae. Clin Chim Acta. 1996;245(1):93–104.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Gehrking E, Wisst F, Remmert S, Sommer K. Intraoperative assessment of perilymphatic fistulas with intrathecal administration of fluorescein. Laryngoscope. 2002;112(9):1614–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Hughes GB, Sismanis A, House JW. Is there consensus in perilymph fistula management? Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1990;102:111–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Mikulec AA, McKenna MJ, Ramsey MJ, et al. Superior semicircular canal dehiscence presenting as conductive hearing loss without vertigo. Otol Neurotol. 2004;25:121–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Sequeira SM, Whiting BR, Shimony JS, et al. Accuracy of computed tomography detection of superior canal dehiscence. Otol Neurotol. 2011;32:1500–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Belden CJ, Weg N, Minor LB, Zinreich SJ. CT evaluation of bone dehiscence of the superior semicircular canal as a cause of sound- and/or pressure-induced vertigo. Radiology. 2003;226:337–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Zuniga MG, Janky KL, Nguyen KD, et al. Ocular versus cervical VEMPs in the diagnosis of superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome. Otol Neurotol. 2013;34:121–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Weber PC, Bluestone CD, Perez B. Outcome of hearing and vertigo after surgery for congenital perilymphatic fistula in children. Am J Otolaryngol. 2003;24:138–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Aisha Larem .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2021 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Larem, A., Al Shawabkeh, M.A., Aljariri, A. (2021). Perilymphatic Fistula. In: Al-Qahtani, A., Haidar, H., Larem, A. (eds) Textbook of Clinical Otolaryngology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-54088-3_14

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-54088-3_14

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-54087-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-54088-3

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics