Traumatic Perilymph Fistula in Infants: A Case Report

Traumatic perilymph fistula is reported to be rare in infants because of the small size of the infant external meatus. We treated an infant with a traumatic perilymph fistula in the right ear. A metallic wire had penetrated the tympanic membrane. Horizontal-rotatory nystagmus was also observed. Computed tomographic images revealed dislocation of the ossicles. The perilymph fistula was closed under general anesthesia. The incus-stapes joint was separated and the footplate of the stapes was dislocated. Leakage of the perilymph fluid was apparent from the oval window and this fistula was closed with connective tissue. The perforation of the tympanic membrane was closed with temporal fascia. After surgery, the spontaneous nystagmus disappeared. The patient is under observation as an outpatient and is growing normally.