Temporal bone fracture with ossicular dislocation caused by a blow to the opposite side of the head.
We report an indirect temporal bone fracture with ossicular chain injury occurring only on the side opposite a facial bone fracture caused by a direct blow. A 45-year-old female was referred to our clinic complaining of right hearing loss. She had suffered a left facial bone fracture in a traffic accident 6 months earlier. Her right hearing impairment was conductive. Exploration of her right middle ear revealed a temporal bone fracture, with ossicular chain separation and a dislocated stapes with a perilymphatic fistula. These injuries were considered to be caused by an indirect force following a blow to the face on the opposite side. Well-developed mastoid cells are composed of sparse, light bone in contrast to the compact bone of the bony canal, ossicles, and otic capsule, and therefore their mechanical compliance may differ.
Chujo
Kyoko
K
Division of Otorhinolaryngology, Hamanomachi Hospital, Fukuoka 810-8539, Japan.
Nakagawa
Takashi
T
Komune
Shizuo
S
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000150:complications*; D004429:Ear Ossicles / Q000293:injuries*; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000293:injuries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000150:complications*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009998:Ossicular Prosthesis; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000150:complications*; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000293:injuries*