Traumatic middle ear lesions. Fracture of the malleus handle, aetiology, diagnosis and treatment.

Traumatic middle ear lesions are quite common but only seldom mentioned in the literature; an isolated fracture of the handle of the malleus seems to be extremely rare. The appearance of two patients with an isolated fracture of the handle of the malleus within one year might indicate that this type of lesion should be considered more frequently. The traumatic aetiology, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of this lesion is described and is illustrated by two cases.