Microfissure in the oval window area.

Examination of 331 human temporal bones revealed the presence of microfissure in the oval window area in 25%. The youngest temporal bone in which the microfissure was observed was from a child eight years old and the oldest temporal bone was from an individual 102 years old. It appears that hte microfissure in this area occurs extremely rarely before 10 years of age, that it begins to be observed after the age of 10, and that the incidence of this fissure increases sharply at about age 40. In 61% of the bones in which the microfissure was observed, it was present both superior and inferior to the oval window in almost the same vertical plane. In none of the bones, however, did it extend beyond the annular ligament to the footplate. The histological appearance of the microfissure in this area was quite similar to that of the microfissure between the posterior canal ampulla and round window niche, although the latter appeared to be wider in general. The histogenesis of the microfissure is still unknown, but upon careful analysis of the results of this study and literature review, the authors consider nontraumatic spontaneous fracture by mechanical stress to be the most probable explanation for its occurrence. Possible clinical significance of the microfissure is also discussed.