Perilymphatic fistula caused by Eustachian tube air inflation

Taichi Kan; Yasue Uchida; Mayuko Kishimoto; Tetsuya Ogawa; Yasushi Fujimoto

doi:10.1016/j.anl.2024.12.010

Perilymphatic fistula caused by Eustachian tube air inflation

Auris Nasus Larynx. 2025 Jan 8;52(1):35-38. doi: 10.1016/j.anl.2024.12.010. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Taichi Kan¹, Yasue Uchida², Mayuko Kishimoto², Tetsuya Ogawa², Yasushi Fujimoto²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck surgery, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, 1-1, Yazakokarimata, Nagakute, Aichi 480-1195, Japan. Electronic address: kan.taichi.034@mail.aichi-med-u.ac.jp.
² Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck surgery, Aichi Medical University School of Medicine, 1-1, Yazakokarimata, Nagakute, Aichi 480-1195, Japan.

PMID: 39787950
DOI: 10.1016/j.anl.2024.12.010

Abstract

We present a case of a perilymphatic fistula (PLF) caused by Eustachian tube air inflation (ETAI) that was diagnosed using cochlin-tomoprotein (CTP) testing and successfully treated using transcanal endoscopic ear surgery to seal the inner ear window. A 77-year-old woman developed hearing loss and dizziness after undergoing ETAI at a local ear, nose, and throat clinic. Despite initial bed rest and steroid pulse therapy, the hearing did not improve, and transcanal endoscopic ear surgery was performed to repair the PLF. The CTP test confirmed the diagnosis of PLF, leading to a significant improvement in the patient's hearing and dizziness symptoms postoperatively. This case highlights the importance of considering PLF as a potential complication of ETAI and the value of CTP testing for diagnosing this condition.

Keywords: Cochlin-tomoprotein; Eustachian tube air inflation; Perilymphatic fistula; Transcanal endoscopic ear surgery.

Publication types

Case Reports