Abstract
A study of the temporal bones of a 38-year-old man with chronic myelocytic leukemia was reported. He manifested profound bilateral deafness four days before his death.
The study revealed the following findings: massive bleeding in the cochlea (both in the scala vestibule and the scala tympani) as well as in the perilymphatic space of the vestibule. The organ of Corti was destroyed in all the turns of the cochlea on both sides. Reissner's membrane collapsed except in the left basal turn. The spiral ligament was infiltrated with leukemic cells. The maculae of the saccule and the utricle as well as the cristae of semicircular canals were markedly infiltrated with leukemic cells. The mucosa of the middle ear was slightly edematous and fluid was retained in the tympanic cavity. Bleeding and cell infiltration were observed in the nerves in the internal meatus. The temporal bones showed bilaterally similar findings.
The literature for aural manifestation in leukemia was reviewed.
