Abnormal facial nerve course associated with stapes fixation or oval window absence: report of two cases

Congenital minor ear malformations are very uncommon. Their etiology can be explained by the embryological development of the middle ear structures. Their classification, diagnosis and treatment pose certain problems. We report on one case of congenital stapes fixation and one case of oval window absence, both associated with an abnormal facial nerve course. Good long-term results show that performing a platinotomy or vestibulotomy in cases of congenital stapes fixation or oval window absence can be a relatively safe procedure, even in presence of deviated facial nerve course. The literature and present classifications of minor ear malformations are discussed.