[Hereditary combination of branchial fistulas and middle ear malformations (author's transl)]

Four cases with hereditary combinations of branchial fistulas and middle ear malformations in three generations of one family are reported. We found preauricular fistulas and lateral cervical fistulas combined with different types of middle ear dysplasias. In one case a preauricular fistula running through the middle ear and ending in the dura could be exstirpated. Such rare varieties must be considered, when preauricular fistulas are found together with congenital middle ear deafness.