Artikel
Small fractures of the temporal bone
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Veröffentlicht: | 10. August 2015 |
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Gliederung
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Introduction: In case of post-traumatic, single-sided sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), computed tomography (CT) of the temporal bone is recommended for diagnostic approach. In these cases the radiological finding of a clearly visible fracture line, running either longitudinally, transversely or in combination through the temporal bone is expected. In rare cases, fractures only appear at one single site of the otic capsule, making it difficult to find it in the CT-scan.
Methods: Retrospective, case-study of two patients
Results: In two clinical cases, small, isolated fractures of the otic capsule were initially not detected. After repeated diagnostic work-up of the existing imaging results, due to uncertain clinical findings, the fractures could be identified. In one case the fracture was in the region of the promontory, in the second case the fracture was in the region of the ampulla of the lateral semicircular canal.
Conclusion: Small fractures of the temporal bone, affecting only one isolated site of the otic capsule, can be overseen easily. In case of single-sided post-traumatic sensorineural hearing loss there is a need for special attention to the medial wall of the tympanic cavity in order to detect isolated fractures of that region.