[Traumatic perilymphatic fistula and sports]

In the past ten years four sportsmen with a traumatic perilymphatic fistula were treated. Three of these four patients were surgically treated: two of them underwent a labyrinthectomy and with one of them, the oval window was grafted. After the analysis of these cases, we have made a study of the literature. Careful attention to the patient history and accurate review of the recurrent vestibulocochlear symptomatology isolate a clinical "audiovestibular syndrome of perilymphatic fistule". There is lack of precise preoperatoire diagnostic test. Nevertheless, entire positionnal audiometric test is a reliable and easy to perform test. The medical management is based on bed rest during a reasonable period. Only patients with significant suggestive symptomatology are surgically explored . They sometimes need destruction of vestibular function without preservation of hearing.