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Detection of pneumolabyrinth after temporal bone trauma using computed tomography.
Jin Woong Choi1, Ah-Ra Lyu2, Kyeung A Ryu1
1a Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea ;
Acta Oto-Laryngologica
|March 24, 2016
Summary
Pneumolabyrinth is a rare condition associated with otic capsule disrupting fractures. While not always causing hearing loss, its co-existence with pneumocochlea is extremely rare and linked to total hearing impairment.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Radiology
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Pneumolabyrinth, an air in the inner ear, is a rare finding.
- Otic capsule disrupting (OCD) fractures increase the risk of inner ear air entrapment.
- Pneumocochlea, air in the cochlea, is a known risk factor for total hearing loss.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze radiological and clinical features of pneumolabyrinth.
- To identify diagnostic challenges in detecting pneumocochlea.
- To evaluate the incidence of pneumolabyrinth in temporal bone fractures.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of temporal bone computed tomographies (TBCT).
- Analysis of clinical records from 402 patients with temporal bone fractures.
- Identification and characterization of air densities within the inner ear structures.
Main Results:
- Pneumolabyrinth identified in 6 patients (1.5% of all temporal bone fractures).
- All pneumolabyrinth cases involved the vestibule; 3 had concurrent cochlear and semicircular canal air densities.
- Patients with pneumocochlea experienced total hearing loss.
Conclusions:
- Pneumolabyrinth is exceptionally rare, even with OCD fractures.
- Hearing impairment is not a universal outcome of OCD fractures with pneumolabyrinth.
- The co-existence of pneumolabyrinth and pneumocochlea is extremely rare and indicates a high risk of hearing loss.
