Idiopathic perilymphatic fistulae: a temporal bone histopathological study. Clinical, surgical and histopathological correlations.

The temporal bone histopathological findings herein reported are the first to be from a patient who had, during life, the diagnosis of idiopathic perilymphatic fistulae. The patient received surgical treatment followed by rapid improvement of his vestibular symptoms. These specimens histopathologically demonstrate the patencies of the labyrinth capsule that were diagnosed (predicted) clinically during life, the qualities of the membranous labyrinth in both the operated and unoperated ears, and the elements of the surgical repair. Notably there is no evidence of endolymphatic hydrops. The diagnostic features which allowed this patient with fluctuating hearing loss, episodic vertigo, and tinnitus to be distinguished from a patient with Meniere's syndrome are discussed as are the implications regarding future and past studies of vestibular and cochlear disorders.