Abstract
Spontaneous perilymph fistula was diagnosed in a 54-year-old man. The patient, who denied any episode of head trauma or ear disease, had a sudden sensation of plugging of the right ear without any hearing impairment or vertigo. A fluid-air line and a bubble were seen through the right tympanic membrane. Audiograms showed slight conductive hearing impairment. A tympanogram revealed type C findings. Vertical and horizontal nystagmus were detected in the head hanging position. The caloric test showed mild hypofunction of the right vestibule. Surgical exploration revealed slight dislocation of the stapes and a perilymphatic leak from the oval window. The fistula was closed with Gelform and fascia.
The clinical entity of perilymph fistula is characterized by episodic vertigo and sensorineural hearing impairment, and a case such as this one without these symptomes is very rare.
