Encephalocele of the middle ear.

A case of congenital encephalocele of the middle ear presenting as a conductive hearing loss is reported. In retrospect it is possible that CT scanning with metrizimide contrast studies may have been helpful in establishing the diagnosis (Cooper and Kassel, 1982). However, it is stressed that even in the absence of radiological abnormality of the temporal bone, surgical exploration of the middle cranial fossa should be undertaken.