Cochlear-facial dehiscence--a newly described entity.

Abstract

Dehiscence of the cochlear otic capsule has recently been described as a pathologic entity. We describe two cases of cochlear-facial dehiscence, which are the first reported: a 69-year-old male who complained of hearing loss, autophony, and pulsatile tinnitus and a 41-year-old female who complained of left-sided hearing loss, pulsatile tinnitus, and vertigo. In both, computed tomography (CT) showed bony dehiscence between the facial nerve and cochlea. Cochlear-facial dehiscence is another example of otic capsule dehiscence that produces symptoms of third-window lesions. When patients present with symptoms of third-window lesions and CT does not show superior canal dehiscence, cochlear-facial dehiscence should be considered.