title: Ear and further anatomic anomalies in children undergoing stapedotomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Aim of this study was to examine any stapes fixation-related clinical, intraoperative and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings in children undergoing stapedotomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Detailed diagnostic assessment was performed in 12 children (18 ears) who underwent stapedotomy within the period 2005-2008.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ear malformations such as malleus-incus anomalies, malleus-epitympanum fixation and absence of the stapedius tendon, small external auditory canal and auricle malformations were clinically and/or intraoperatively diagnosed. HRCT identified a petrous high jugular bulb and malformed inner auditory canal in 4 ears; however, it failed to recognize ossicular fixation. Systemic anomalies, namely kyphoscoliosis, esophageal atresia and finger malformations were identified in 2 children. Summing up, additional anatomic anomalies were found in 8 patients (66.7%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ear malformations may coexist in children with stapes fixation. Ossicular fixation is not easily recognized with HRCT, and therefore, ossicular mobility should always be tested intraoperatively. In a few cases, pediatric stapes fixation can coexist with systemic dysplasias; in such patients, additional referral to geneticists is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hanover Medical University, Hanover, Germany. Kontorinis.Georgios@mh-hannover.de
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kontorinis
authors.forename: Friedrich
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Goetz
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lenarz
authors.forename: Burkard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schwab
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D004431:Ear, External / Q000002:abnormalities; D004933:Esophageal Atresia / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006228:Hand Deformities, Congenital / Q000473:pathology; D006314:Hearing Loss, Conductive / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007188:Incus / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D007738:Kyphosis / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008307:Malleus / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D010040:Otosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000473:pathology; D013199:Stapes / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013201:Stapes Surgery / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed