[Total sequestration of the labyrinth]

At present total sequestration of the labyrinth in the case of purulent epitympanitis and cholesteatoma is a rare pathology. This paper describes data from the literature and two observations by the present authors. They offer an efficient method for arresting labyrinthectomy-induced liquorrhea by means of a flap of the lip mucous membrane. They maintain that computer tomography combined with traditional tomography is an informative method for diagnosing labyrinth destruction. They assert that continuous destruction of the labyrinth during prolonged pyorrhea and progressive development of cholesteatoma can be stimulated by functional changes of the body, e.g. pregnancy. They also suggest that the vestibular apparatus has high compensatory potentials under the conditions of a complete destruction of the vestibule and semicircular canals as a result of extended inflammation of the middle and internal ear.