Transmastoid Repair of Otogenic Encephaloceles in Patients With Canal Wall Down Mastoidectomy

Otol Neurotol. 2022 Apr 1;43(4):460-465. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000003471.

Abstract

Objective: Description of a series of cases in which otogenic encephaloceles in patients requiring canal wall down (CWD) mastoidectomies were repaired via a transmastoid approach.

Study design: Case series.

Setting: Tertiary-care hospital.

Patients: Eleven cases of otogenic encephaloceles in patients requiring CWD mastoidectomy for chronic ear disease.

Interventions: Surgical repair of an otogenic encephalocele using a transmastoid approach.

Main outcome measures: Success of repair, number and size of defects, materials used for repair, complications encountered in surgery, pure tone average air-bone gap (PTA-ABG).

Results: Eleven cases were identified. Two of these patients had a prior CWD cavity while the remainder received CWD mastoidectomy simultaneously with encephalocele repair. None of the patients required revision of encephalocele repair. Mean preoperative PTA-ABG was 30 dB and mean postoperative PTA-ABG was 28 dB (p = 0.66).

Conclusions: A single-stage strictly transmastoid approach to otogenic encephalocele repair may be effective in patients with prior CWD mastoid cavities or requiring concurrent CWD mastoidectomy for chronic ear disease and/or cholesteatoma.

MeSH terms

  • Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear* / complications
  • Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear* / surgery
  • Ear Canal / surgery
  • Encephalocele / complications
  • Encephalocele / surgery
  • Humans
  • Mastoid / surgery
  • Mastoidectomy* / adverse effects
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome