Imaging of postoperative sensorineural complications of stapes surgery: a pictorial essay.

Sensorineural hearing loss and/or vertigo are rare but severe complications of stapes surgery for otosclerosis, ranging from 0.2 to 3%. Management of such complications depends on the underlying cause: intravestibular protrusion of the prosthesis, perilymph fistula, labyrinthitis, and reparative granuloma extending into the vestibule. Surgery is mandatory in cases of intravestibular prosthesis or of persistent perilymph fistula. In cases of suppurative labyrinthitis or reparative granuloma extending into the vestibule, prognosis is usually poor, despite aggressive medical therapy or revision surgery. CT scan or magnetic resonance imaging can frequently help to determine the cause of the inner ear complication of stapedectomy. Demonstrative cases are presented to illustrate the prominent place of imaging in managing sensorineural complications of stapes surgery.