Clinical Phenotypic Variability and Significance of Pneumolabyrinth After Tympanum-Penetrating Injury

ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate the clinical manifestations, treatment, and prognosis of traumatic pneumolabyrinth caused by tympanic membrane (TM) perforation.MethodsClinical data were collected from 3 cases of traumatic pneumolabyrinth occurring between 2015 and 2021 and 22 cases were identified from 20 articles in PubMed database that reported pneumolabyrinth due to tympanum-penetrating injury.InterventionNonoperative treatment was performed in Cases 1 and 3. Middle ear inspection was performed 1 year after the injury due to worsening vertigo upon head movement in Case 2.Main outcome measuresHearing outcomes and vestibular evaluations were presented for the 3 cases, and all comparable cases in the literature were reviewed.ResultsAll 25 patients had a history of traumatic TM perforation, with perforations mostly located in the posterior or posterior superior quadrant (16 cases). Air signs were observed in the vestibule in all 25 patients, 15 of whom revealed stapes luxation into the vestibule. Conservative treatments were performed in 8 cases, and exploratory surgery in 17 cases. Most patients were free of vertigo (23/25). There were no significant hearing improvements in 15 cases, while hearing recovery or improvement was observed in 9 cases.ConclusionsThe clinical manifestations of pneumolabyrinth due to tympanum-penetrating injuries vary widely. Importantly, the degree of hearing loss is not directly related to the subjectively perceived vertigo but to the location and extent of pneumolabyrinth.