Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-gb8f7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-30T18:51:49.896Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Perilymph fistula: the patients' experience

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 April 2016

J A Meldrum*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust, UK
P R Prinsley
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, James Paget University Hospital, Great Yarmouth, UK Department of Otolaryngology, Norfolk and Norwich University NHS Foundation Trust, Norwich, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Ms J A Meldrum, 36 Marewa Street, Kew, Dunedin 9012, New Zealand E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Objective:

This study aimed to assess the experiences and outcomes of patients who underwent surgical repair of a perilymph fistula in Norfolk, UK.

Methods:

The study involved a retrospective questionnaire-based patient survey and case note review of patients who had undergone tympanotomy and perilymph fistula repair between 1998 and 2012 in two district general hospitals.

Results:

Fourteen patients underwent 20 procedures, of whom 7 completed the pre- and post-operative Vertigo Symptom Scale. In five patients, there was no obvious precipitating cause. Perilymph fistula was precipitated by noise in one patient, by a pressure-increasing event in six patients and by trauma in two patients. The Vertigo Symptom Scale scores showed a statistically significant improvement following surgical repair, from a median of 67 (out of 175) pre-operatively to 19 post-operatively.

Conclusion:

In selected patients with vertigo, perilymph fistula should be considered; surgical repair can significantly improve symptoms.

Type
Main Articles
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2016 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1 Black, FO, Pesznecker, S, Norton, T, Fowler, L, Lilly, DJ, Shupert, C et al. Surgical management of perilymphatic fistulas: a Portland experience. Am J Otol 1992;13:254–62Google ScholarPubMed
2 Black, FO, Pezsnecker, S, Norton, T, Fowler, L, Lilly, DJ, Shupert, C et al. Surgical management of perilymph fistulas. A new technique. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1991;117:641–8Google Scholar
3 Monsell, EM. New and revised reporting guidelines from the Committee on Hearing and Equilibrium. American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, Inc. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1995;113:176–8CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4 Morris, MS, Kil, J, Carvlin, MJ. Magnetic resonance imaging of perilymphatic fistula. Laryngoscope 1993;103:729–33Google Scholar
5 Davies, RE. Diagnosis and management of perilymph fistula: the University of North Carolina approach. Am J Otol 1992;13:85–9Google Scholar
6 Yardley, L, Masson, E, Verschuur, C, Haacke, N, Luxon, L. Symptoms, anxiety and handicap in dizzy patients: the development of the vertigo symptom scale. J Psychosom Res 1992;36:731–41Google Scholar
7 Hornibrook, J. Perilymph fistula: fifty years of controversy. ISRN Otolaryngol 2012;2012:281248 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8 Shea, JJ. The myth of spontaneous perilymph fistula. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1992;107:613–16Google Scholar
9 Minor, LB, Soloman, D, Zinreich, JS, Zee, DS. Sound and/or pressure-induced vertigo due to bone dehiscence of the superior semicircular canal. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1998;24:249–58Google Scholar
10 Skedros, DG, Cass, SP, Hirsch, BE, Kelly, RH. Beta-2 transferrin assay in clinical management of cerebral spinal fluid and perilymphatic fluid leaks. J Otolaryngol 1993;22:341–4Google Scholar
11 Buchman, CA, Luxford, WM, Hirsch, BE, Fucci, MJ, Kelly, RH. Beta-2 transferrin assay in the identification of perilymph. Am J Otol 1999;20:174–8Google ScholarPubMed
12 Ikezono, T, Shindo, S, Sekiguchi, S, Morizane, T, Pawankar, R, Watanabe, A et al. The performance of Cochlin-tomoprotein detection test in the diagnosis of perilymphatic fistula. Audiol Neurootol 2010;15:168–74Google Scholar
13 Kohut, RI. Perilymph fistulas. Clinical criteria. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1992;118:687–92Google Scholar
14 Poe, DS, Bottrill, ID. Comparison of endoscopic and surgical explorations for perilymphatic fistulas. Am J Otol 1994;15:735–8Google ScholarPubMed
15 Farrier, JB. Abstruce complications of stapes surgery. In: Schuknecht, H, ed. International Symposium on Otosclerosis. Boston: Little Brown and Co, 1962;509–21Google Scholar
16 Steffen, TN, House, HP, Seeley, JL. The slipped strut problem. A review of 52 cases. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1963;72:191205 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
17 Fee, GA. Traumatic perilymph fistulas. Arch Otolaryngol 1968;88:43–6Google Scholar
18 Stroud, MH, Calceterra, TC. Spontaneous perilymph fistulas. Laryngoscope 1970;80:479–87Google Scholar
19 Seltzer, S, McCabe, BF. Perilymph fistula: Iowa experience. Laryngoscope 1986;96:3749 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
20 Rizer, FM, House, JW. Perilymph fistulas: the House Ear Clinic experience. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1991;104:239–43Google Scholar
21 Fitzgerald, DC. Myth of spontaneous perilymph fistula. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1993;109:967 Google Scholar
22 Hughes, GB, Sisimanis, A, House, JW. Is there consensus in perilymph fistula management? Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1990;102:111–17CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
23 Healy, GB, Strong, MS, Sampogna, D. Ataxia, vertigo, and hearing loss. A result of rupture of inner ear window. Arch Otolaryngol 1974;100:130–5CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
24 Black, FO, Lilly, DJ, Nashner, LM, Peterka, RJ, Pesznecker, SC. Quantitative diagnostic test for perilymph fistulas. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1987;96:125–34Google Scholar
25 Shelton, C, Simmons, FB. Perilymph fistula: the Stanford experience. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1988;97:105–8Google Scholar
26 Smith, WK, Sandooram, D, Prinsley, PR. Intratympanic gentamicin treatment in Meniere's disease: patients’ experiences and outcomes. J Laryngol Otol 2006;120:730–5Google Scholar
27 Buchanan, MA, Rai, A, Prinsley, PR. Initial UK experience of patient satisfaction with the Meniett® device for Ménière's disease treatment. J Laryngol Otol 2010;124:1067–72Google Scholar
Supplementary material: File

Meldrum and Prinsley supplementary material

Movie 1

Download Meldrum and Prinsley supplementary material(File)
File 8.4 MB