title: Lightning and its effects on the auditory system.
abstract: Patients struck by lightning can present with a wide variety of unusual otologic problems including burns to the external auditory canal, tympanic membrane rupture, middle ear injury, and sensorineural hearing loss. Four patients who incurred various otologic problems, including one patient with previously unreported bilateral oval window fistulas following lightning injury, are presented. Audiologic, otologic, and surgical findings are reviewed as well as patient follow-up and outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115.
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: F P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Ogren
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Roh
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Moore
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002058:Burns, Electric / Q000209:etiology; D003638:Deafness / Q000209:etiology*; D004424:Ear Canal / Q000293:injuries; D006316:Hearing Loss, High-Frequency / Q000209:etiology; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D015168:Lightning Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D010046:Oval Window, Ear / Q000293:injuries; D012421:Rupture; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000209:etiology; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000293:injuries