title: Atypical incus necrosis: a case report and literature review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We report an atypical case of ossicular necrosis affecting the incus, in the absence of any history of chronic serous otitis media. We also discuss the current theories of incus necrosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A male patient presented with a history of right unilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Audiometry confirmed right conductive deafness; tympanometry was normal bilaterally. He underwent a right exploratory tympanotomy, which revealed atypical erosion of the proximal long process of the incus. Middle-ear examination was otherwise normal, with a mobile stapes footplate. The redundant long process of the incus was excised and a partial ossicular replacement prosthesis was inserted, resulting in improved hearing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ossicular pathologies most commonly affect the incus. The commonest defect is an absent lenticular and distal long process of the incus, which is most commonly associated with chronic otitis media. This is the first reported case of ossicular necrosis, particularly of the proximal long process of the incus, in the absence of chronic middle-ear pathology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Southend University Hospital Foundation Trust, UK. Natashamasood1@aol.com
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Choudhury
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krishnan
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Gatland
mesh_terms: D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D006314:Hearing Loss, Conductive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007188:Incus / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D019933:Ossicular Replacement; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000150:complications; D016896:Treatment Outcome