title: Congenital cerebrospinal otorrhea.
abstract: Four locations for congenital cerebrospinal fluid fistula in the region of a normal labyrinth are reviewed. A congenital leak may occur through the petromastoid canal, a wide cochlear aqueduct, Hyrtl's fissure, or the facial canal. A fistula through the initial segment of the fallopian canal was successfully repaired in a two-year-old boy who had three episodes of meningitis following otitis media. Knowledge of these four sites of congenital defects provides a guideline for the surgeon in the identification and repair of cerebrospinal fluid leaks in the region of the labyrinth.
mesh_terms: D002558:Cerebrospinal Fluid Otorrhea / Q000151:congenital* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003052:Cochlear Aqueduct / Q000473:pathology; D004424:Ear Canal / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000473:pathology