Traumatic labyrinthine fistulas.

During the last 10 years, the rupture of the inner ear windows, as an entity, has been introduced in the differential diagnosis of the acute vestibulocochlear syndrome. Head trauma, Valsalva-like maneuvers and barotrauma due to diving accidents are now described as etiologic factors in the pathogenesis of labyrinthine fistula. Four cases were explored and repaired in the last four years in our department. Ataxia was the prominent symptom in three, while positional nystagmus and vertigo were consistent findings in all four cases. The definitive evidence of the fistula can be proved only by exploratory tympanotomy. In this report, the importance of the consideration of this entity in the differential diagnosis of vestibulocochlear syndrome in victims of traffic and diving accidents is emphasized.