Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol.  2016 Sep;9(3):206-211. 10.21053/ceo.2015.01116.

Audiologic Patterns of Otic Capsule Preserving Temporal Bone Fracture: Effects of the Affected Subsites

• Kim SY
• Kim YJ
• Kim YH
• Park MH

• KMID: 2353617
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.21053/ceo.2015.01116

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study was aimed to assess the relationship between the type of temporal bone area involved and conductive hearing loss.
METHODS
We enrolled 97 patients who visited the otolaryngology clinics of Seoul National University Hospital or Boramae Medical Center, Seoul Metropolitan Government-Seoul National University with temporal bone fracture between January 2004 and January 2014. Audiometric parameters, including initial and improved air-bone (AB) conduction gap values, were reviewed in accordance with the temporal bone computed tomography (external auditory canal [EAC], middle ear [ME], mastoid [M], and ossicle [O]).
RESULTS
Patients with ossicular chain involvement exhibited a larger AB gap compared to those with no ossicular chain involvement at 250, 1,000, 2,000, and 4,000 Hz. Among the groups without ossicular chain involvement, the initial AB gap was largest in patients with EAC+ME+M involvement, followed by the ME+M and M-only involvement groups. The greatest improvement in the AB gap was observed in the EAC+ME+M group followed by the ME+M and M-only groups, irrespective of ossicular chain involvement. Improvements in AB gap values were smallest at 2,000 Hz.
CONCLUSION
Conductive hearing loss pattern differed according to the temporal bone area involved. Therefore, areas such as the hematoma and hemotympanum, as well as the fracture line of the temporal bone area, must be evaluated to predict audiologic patterns with otic capsule preserving temporal bone fracture.

Keyword

Temporal Bone; Fracture, Bone; Sensorineural Hearing Loss; Conductive Hearing Loss; Ear Ossicles

MeSH Terms

Ear Ossicles
Ear, Middle
Fractures, Bone
Hearing Loss, Conductive
Hearing Loss, Sensorineural
Hematoma
Humans
Mastoid
Otolaryngology
Seoul
Temporal Bone*

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1. Initial air-bone gap according to involvement range of temporal bone. (A) Patients with intact ossicular chain. (B) Patients with ossicular chain disruption or dislocation. EAC, external auditory canal; ME, middle ear; M, mastoid; O, ossicle. *P<0.05.

• 

  Fig. 2. Improvement of air-bone gap (initial air-bone gap – final air-bone gap) according to involvement range of temporal bone. (A) Patients with intact ossicular chain. (B) Patients with ossicular chain disruption or dislocation. EAC, external auditory canal; ME, middle ear; M, mastoid; O, ossicle. *P<0.05.

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