1993 Volume 1993 Issue Supplement62 Pages 96-99
Twenty nine cases with unilateral labyrinthine fistula due to cholesteatoma were treated surgically and followed for at least one month. The mean preoperative bone conduction thresholds were higher 10 dB or more higher in the ear with the fistula than in the contralateral ears in 48% of the patients. The difference between the pre-and postoperative thresholds was less than 10 dB in 86% of the subjects. Vestibular disorders were found preoperatively in 47%. The symptoms did not worsened after surgery in any case. Normal pre-operative vestibular function was not affected in any case. Disorders in static vestibular function such as spontaneous nystagmus and Romberg's phenomenon showed gradual improvement. However, disequilibrium during active movement persisted for a long period.