PERILYMPHATIC FISTULA - A WASHINGTON, DC, EXPERIENCE

One hundred ninety-seven patients who underwent surgical repair for a presumed unilateral perilymphatic fistula were reviewed. Of those pati ents, 87% with vestibular symptoms reported complete or near-complete relief of their symptoms. Forty percent of the patients with sudden he aring loss had an improvement in their hearing levels. An analysis of several diagnostic tests revealed their sensitivity and specificity ra tings. A review of the patients' operative records showed a marked dis parity between the visual identification of an actual fluid leak durin g surgery and their postoperative outcome. This review supports the pr emise that at the present time, the patient's surgical outcome is the best way of documenting a successfully repaired perilymphatic fistula.