Ryoukichi Ikeda1, Hiromitsu Miyazaki2, Masahiro Morita3, Daisuke Yamauchi4, Tetsuaki Kawase5, Yukio Katori6, Toshimitsu Kobayashi7. 1. Sen-En Rifu Otological Surgery Center, Miyagi, Japan; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan. Electronic address: ryoukich@hotmail.com. 2. Sen-En Rifu Otological Surgery Center, Miyagi, Japan. Electronic address: hmiya1104@yahoo.co.jp. 3. Osaka Ear & Eustachian Tube Clinic, Osaka, Japan. Electronic address: jikan4133@morita-et.com. 4. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan. Electronic address: daipapa@hotmail.com. 5. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan. Electronic address: kawase@orl.med.tohoku.ac.jp. 6. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan. Electronic address: entsendai@yahoo.co.jp. 7. Sen-En Rifu Otological Surgery Center, Miyagi, Japan. Electronic address: kobyhh@gmail.com.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The patulous Eustachian tube (PET) and superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome (SCDS) have similarity in their symptoms and similar effects caused by positional changes, causing difficulty in the differentiation between the two disorders. This report describes a case of both SCDS and PET that was eventually successfully treated. METHODS: A 68-year-old man presented with hyperacusis to his own footsteps and gait disturbance. He had been diagnosed as PET two years before and had been treated by insertion of a silicone plug (Kobayashi plug) at the other hospital. Clinical case records, audiological data, cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP), Eustachian tube function tests and computed tomography (CT) were taken in the sitting position. RESULTS: While the CT confirmed superior semicircular canal dehiscence, the results of cVEMP was not typical of SCD likely due to preexisting hearing impairment in the right ear with a history of middle ear surgeries for the treatment of PET. He received round window reinforcement (RWR) and achieved relief from his symptoms but six months after the surgery, he visited again with complaints of autophony of his own voice and breathing. The tympanic membrane was found to move synchronous with respiration, and Eustachian tube function tests and the sitting CT confirmed the recurrence of severe PET. He had his silicone plug exchanged (increase in size of the Kobayashi plug) and achieved relief from symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The present case was a rare instance showing that PET and SCDS can occur simultaneously in a patient. The patient achieved relief from symptoms after treatment with RWR and insertion of the Kobayashi plug.
OBJECTIVES: The patulous Eustachian tube (PET) and superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome (SCDS) have similarity in their symptoms and similar effects caused by positional changes, causing difficulty in the differentiation between the two disorders. This report describes a case of both SCDS and PET that was eventually successfully treated. METHODS: A 68-year-old man presented with hyperacusis to his own footsteps and gait disturbance. He had been diagnosed as PET two years before and had been treated by insertion of a silicone plug (Kobayashi plug) at the other hospital. Clinical case records, audiological data, cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP), Eustachian tube function tests and computed tomography (CT) were taken in the sitting position. RESULTS: While the CT confirmed superior semicircular canal dehiscence, the results of cVEMP was not typical of SCD likely due to preexisting hearing impairment in the right ear with a history of middle ear surgeries for the treatment of PET. He received round window reinforcement (RWR) and achieved relief from his symptoms but six months after the surgery, he visited again with complaints of autophony of his own voice and breathing. The tympanic membrane was found to move synchronous with respiration, and Eustachian tube function tests and the sitting CT confirmed the recurrence of severe PET. He had his silicone plug exchanged (increase in size of the Kobayashi plug) and achieved relief from symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The present case was a rare instance showing that PET and SCDS can occur simultaneously in a patient. The patient achieved relief from symptoms after treatment with RWR and insertion of the Kobayashi plug.