title: [Traumatic perilymphatic fistulae : about 13 cases].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Post-traumatic peri-lymphatic fistulas have been described following ear and temporal bone injury, particularly in the setting of temporal bone fractures. The symptoms and signs of perilymphatic fistulae (PLF) are very varied and frequently misleading. The diagnosis can be suspected on the bases of the clinical and the audiometrial findings. Indications for exploratory surgery in cases of trauma are vague and not well described.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the principal clinical and radiologic signs of PLF.
  
  
  METHODS
  Study of 13 patients with different symptoms of posttraumatic peri-lymphatic fistulae.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ten patients had vertigo, and 2 presented otoliquorreha. Two patients had tympanic perforation. Nine patients presented neurosensorinal hearing loss and 5 were completely deaf. A CT Scann was realized in 12 cases and showed the fracture in 10 cases (91%) with a pneumolabyrinth in 4 cases. Medical and postural treatment was indicated for all the patients then a surgery was indicated in all of them in an average wait of 4 months realizing an ear exclusion in one case and a filling-up for 12 patients. Vertigo improved in 10 cases and the hearing loss in 2 cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The diagnostic of perilymphatic fistulae is not easy. The trauma and the clinical signs can help but the confirmation is surgical. The indication of surgery and its timing are still discussed.
authors.affiliation: Hopital Charles Nicolle, Tunis, Tunisie.
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kaffel
authors.forename: Noura
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jlassi
authors.forename: Zied
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Selmi
authors.forename: Riadh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Boulakbeche
authors.forename: Rim
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lahiani
authors.forename: Dalenda
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nejah
authors.forename: Mamia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ben Saleh
authors.forename: Hela
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hajri
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferjaoui
mesh_terms: D015331:Cohort Studies; D004423:Ear; D005402:Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007759:Labyrinth Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D010498:Perilymph / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000293:injuries*; D018058:Tympanic Membrane Perforation / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D014717:Vertigo / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*