Stapes gusher and Klippel-Feil syndrome

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Neurosurgery
• Genetics

Background:

• Stapedectomy is a surgical procedure to restore hearing in cases of otosclerosis.
• Stapes gusher is a rare but serious complication of stapedectomy.
• Congenital fixation of the footplate is a condition affecting the stapes bone.

Observation:

• Two cases of stapes gusher in patients with congenital footplate fixation are presented.
• One patient also had Klippel-Feil syndrome, a congenital disorder affecting the cervical spine and skull base.
• The stapes gusher complication arises from an abnormal communication between the subarachnoid and perilymphatic spaces.

Findings:

• The study highlights the association between congenital footplate fixation and the risk of stapes gusher.
• The presence of Klippel-Feil syndrome in one case suggests a potential link with other congenital anomalies.
• The abnormal communication allows cerebrospinal fluid to enter the inner ear, causing a gusher phenomenon.

Implications:

• Complete preoperative examination is essential for all patients with congenital footplate fixation.
• Early identification of potential stapes gusher risk can guide surgical planning and patient counseling.
• Understanding these associations may improve surgical outcomes and reduce complications in otologic surgery.