Ectopic stapes: a case report with embryologic correlations.

A case report of unilateral congenital stapes misplacement revealed by computed tomography is presented. In addition to this malformation, the malleus was synostosed to the middle ear roof. This kind of stapes ectopia has not been described previously. We have analyzed the malformative pattern in the light of normal and teratologic development of the stapes. In a teratologic model in which retinoic acid is administered to pregnant mice, we have observed an ectopic stapes primordium independent of the otic capsule. We discuss the possible pathogenesis of this abnormality in terms of the genetic events of middle ear development, which can be perturbed by retinoic acid administration.