perilymphatic fistula


perilymphatic fistula

a fistula between the vestibule of the inner ear and the middle ear through which perilymph can leak, resulting in auditory and vestibular disturbances; common sites for perilymphatic fistula are through or around the oval window including through or around the footplate of the stapes or through the round window through the round window membrane.

per·i·lym·phat·ic fis·tu·la

(per'i-lim-fat'ik fis'chū-lă) A fistula between the vestibule of the inner ear and the middle ear through which perilymph can leak, resulting in auditory and vestibular disturbances; common sites for perilymphatic fistula are the oval window through or around the footplate of the stapes or the round window through the round window membrane.

perilymphatic fistula

A canal through which inner ear fluid may leak into the middle ear that may produce sudden hearing loss, tinnitus, or vertigo. The lesion, which can arise congenitally, after trauma, or by erosion, is one of the few examples of sensorineural hearing loss that can be repaired with surgery to the cochlear aqueduct. See also: fistula