Labyrinthine fistulas: Surgical outcomes and an additional diagnostic strategy

To evaluate perioperative findings and audiological and vestibular outcomes in patients operated for cholesteatoma with labyrinthine fistulas. Also to assess radiological fistula size.

Patients who underwent surgery for a labyrinthine fistula caused by a cholesteatoma between 2015 and 2020 in a tertiary referral center were retrospectively investigated. Fistula size was determined on preoperative CT scan. Bone and air conduction pure tone average thresholds were obtained pre- and postoperatively. Clinical outcomes, such as vertigo and otorrea were also evaluated. Main purpose was to determine whether there is a correlation between fistula size and postoperative hearing. Furthermore, perioperative findings and vestibular outcomes are evaluated.

21 patients (22 cases) with a labyrinthine fistula were included. There was no significant change after surgery in bone conduction pure tone average (preoperatively 27.6 dB ± 26.7; postoperatively 30.3 dB ± 34.3; p = 0.628) or air conduction pure tone average (preoperatively 58.7 dB ± 24.3; postoperatively 60.2 dB ± 28.3; p = 0.816). Fistula size was not correlated to postoperative hearing outcome. There were two patients with membranous labyrinth invasion: one patient was deaf preoperatively, the other acquired total sensorineural hearing loss after surgery.

Sensorineural hearing loss after cholesteatoma surgery with labyrinthine fistula is rare. Fistula size and postoperative hearing loss are not correlated, however, membranous labyrinthine invasion seems to be related to poor postoperative hearing outcomes. Therefore, additional preoperative radiological work up, by MRI scan, in selected cases is advocated to guide the surgeon to optimize preoperative counselling.