Skip to main content
Log in

Transcanal endoscopic management of lateral semicircular canal fistula: preliminary experience

  • How I do it
  • Published:
European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

Labyrinthine fistula is one of the most frequent complications of cholesteatoma (CHO), occurring in about 8% of cases in the literature. In about 90% of cases, it is located at the level of the lateral semicircular canal, and its clinical manifestation includes vertigo, nystagmus and positive Hennebert and Tullio signs. The management of lateral semicircular canal fistula (LSCF) secondary to CHO classically requires a retroauricular access by performing a canal wall-up (CWU) or canal wall-down (CWD) mastoidectomy. However, in case of a CHO confined to the tympanic cavity causing a LSCF on the ampullar arm, a transcanal exclusive endoscopic approach could be considered.

Aims

The aim of this study is to describe the feasibility of a transcanal exclusive endoscopic approach in the management of a CHO confined to the tympanic cavity causing a LSCF on the ampullar arm.

Methods

From January 2019 to December 2020, three patients with LSCF secondary to mesotympanic CHO underwent transcanal exclusive endoscopic ear surgery repair at the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Modena, Italy.

Results

This technique was successfully employed to treat LSCF in all three cases and was planned as a two-stage surgery, performing ossiculoplasty after 12–18 months. Functional outcomes were also satisfactory: complete eradication of CHO, hearing preservation and complete resolution of symptoms.

Conclusions

In case of a CHO confined to the tympanic cavity causing an LSCF on the ampullar arm, a transcanal exclusive endoscopic approach could be considered as a feasible and safe technique.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Copeland BJ, Buchman CA (2003) Management of labyrinthine fistulae in chronic ear surgery. Am J Otolaryngol 24(1):51–60. https://doi.org/10.1053/ajot.2003.10

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Presutti L, Marchioni D (2014) Endoscopic ear surgery principles, indications, and techniques, 1st edn. Thieme Medical Publishers, New York

    Google Scholar 

  3. Ritter FN (1970) Chronic Suppurative otitis media and the pathologic labyrinthine fistula. Laryngoscope 80(7):1025–1035. https://doi.org/10.1288/00005537-197007000-00001

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Meyer A, Bouchetemblé P, Costentin B, Dehesdin D, Lerosey Y, Marie J-P (2016) Lateral semicircular canal fistula in cholesteatoma: diagnosis and management. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 273(8):2055–2063. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-015-3775-6

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Yamauchi D, Yamazaki M, Ohta J et al (2014) Closure technique for labyrinthine fistula by “underwater” endoscopic ear surgery: underwater endoscopic ear surgery. Laryngoscope 124(11):2616–2618. https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.24785

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Paolo Russo.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary Information

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary file1 (MP4 406741 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Villari, D., Federici, G., Russo, P. et al. Transcanal endoscopic management of lateral semicircular canal fistula: preliminary experience. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 278, 5099–5103 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-021-07095-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-021-07095-8

Keywords

Navigation