Research Article

Management of Sensorineural Deafness in Temporal Bone Trauma: A Report of 23 Cases

O Oulghoul*, L Labani, M Chehbouni, O Benhoummad, Y Rochdi and A Raji

Ent-Hns Department, Mohammed Vi University Hospital, Morocco

Submission:November 11, 2020;Published:January 11, 2021

*Corresponding author:O Oulghoul, Ent-Hns Department, Mohammed Vi University Hospital, Marrakech, Morocco

How to cite this article: SO Oulghoul, L Labani, M Chehbouni, O Benhoummad, Y Rochdi, et al . Management of Sensorineural Deafness in Temporal Bone Trauma: A Report of 23 Cases. Glob J Oto, 2021; 23 (5): 556123 DOI: 10.19080/GJO.2021.23.556123

Abstract

Introduction: Temporal bone fractures often lead to loss of audio-vestibular function. Otic capsule violating fractures are associated with higher incidence of Sensorineural hearing loss than otic capsule sparing fractures.

Material and methods: Prospective study conducted at the Mohammed VI University Hospital center of Marrakech, from January 2013 to June 2017, covering 23 cases of sensorineural hearing loss in the context of Temporal bone trauma

Results:The mean age was 31 years (4-56 years), with a clear male predominance (sex ratio 21/2). Clinical symptomatology was characterized by hearing loss in all our patients, otorrhagia in 20 cases, vertigo in 13 cases, facial paralysis in 10 cases, and otoliquorrhea in 5 cases. 96% of patients presented with labyrinthine fractures. Two cases of pneumolabyrinth and one case of bilateral temporal bone fracture were noted. The audiometry showed sensorineural hearing loss in 9 cases and mixed in 14 cases. In one case the hearing loss was bilateral with severe sensorineural hearing loss on one side and moderate on the other side.

Conclusion:Temporal bone fracture is one of the most common traumatic injuries that can cause loss of auditory and vestibular function. The diagnosis must be made within a few hours after the trauma, as the auditory prognosis depends on the earliness of the management. Auditory sequelae can go as far as complete hearing loss, on the affected side.

Keywords: Hearing loss; Tonal audiometry; Temporal bone; Otoscopy; Otorrhagia; Ear drum; Cerebrospinal fluid leak; Rhinoliquorrhea; Hemotympan; Facial paralysis; Pneumolabyrinth; Prophylactic antibiotics; Prednisone; Auditory nerves; Brain

Introduction

Temporal bone fracture occurs in 18–40% of head trauma [1,2]. These fractures are mostly unilateral, with bilateral fractures reported in 9% to 20% [3-5]. Road accidents are the most common cause, with falls and gunshot wounds contributing to a lesser extent. These patients frequently present with multiple lesions of varying severity. Although temporal bone fracture may not represent the patient’s acute threatening lesion, early involvement of otolaryngologist in initial assessment and management may improve long-term functional results . Temporal bone fractures often lead to loss of audio-vestibular function. Otic capsule violating fractures are associated with higher incidence of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) than otic capsule sparing fractures.

A rapid assessment, early diagnosis and early treatment improve the prognosis.

Patients and Methods

Prospective study conducted at the Mohammed VI University Hospital center of Marrakech, from January 2013 to June 2017, covering 23 cases of sensorineural hearing loss in context of Temporal bone trauma admitted to the emergency. The clinical, paraclinical, therapeutic and evolutionary data of these patients were collected from direct examination and medical files. All patients underwent a repeated clinical examination including otoscopy, facial and vestibular examination (except for patient with neck trauma), temporal bone HRCT scan, tonal audiometry in all cases, and ABR in one case. Patients with conductive hearing loss, ossicular lesions and data insufficiency were excluded.

Results

The mean age was 31 years (4-56 years), with 17% of pediatric population (age<14 years), and a clear male predominance (sex ratio 21/2). The mechanism of injury includes motor vehicle accident (57%), assault (25%), fall (18%) (Figure 1).

Clinical symptomatology was characterized by

Hearing loss in all our patients. Otorrhagia in 86% cases, all these cases had a wound of the external auditory canal. After clarification of otorrhagia, clinical examination objectified a perforated tympanic membrane in 30% of cases and 21% cases of cerebrospinal fluid leak, all these cases had otoliquorrhea and no case of rhinoliquorrhea and hemotympan with intact ear drum in 9 cases (40%). Vertigo in 56% cases, clinical examination showed a horizontal nustagmus in 3 cases, there were no cases of post traumatic VPPB.

17% of patients presented Tinnitus. Facial paralysis in 43% cases. 32% due to transverse fracture, and 11% due to a longitudinal fracture. Determination of facial paralysis timing was based on the patient’s examination at admission, as well as the observations of the first responders in scene. The palsy was immediate in 28% and delayed in 15% (Table 1). 96% of cases presented a labyrinthine fracture (Figure 2,3), (on case of bilateral sever post traumatic sensorineural hearing loss had a normal CT scan in left temporal bone and a transversal right temporal bone fracture). Two cases of pneumolabyrinth: 8% (Figure 4). One case of bilateral fracture was noted: (Figure 5).

The audiometry showed

Sensorineural hearing loss in 39% of cases and mixed in 61% of cases. The hearing loss was mild in 52% (between 21db and 40db) of cases, moderate (between 41db and 70db) in 31%, and sever (between 71db and 90db) in 17% cases. In the one case of bilateral fracture, the hearing loss was severing on one side and moderate on the other side. Treatment was most often conservative by corticosteroids: 1mg/kg of prednisone, prophylactic antibiotics. For the patient with bilateral fracture, a bilateral hearing aid has been recommended with strict supervision, a cochlear implant will be the alternative in case of further deterioration of the hearing.

The clinical course after one month of the trauma was marked by the spontaneous improvement of the mixed deafness in 6 cases. The persistence of sensorineural deafness in the other cases with evolution towards total hearing loss in 4 cases. Regression of vertigo (was noted in 9 cases. Persistent tinnitus in two cases. 3 cases have kept moderate instability requiring vestibular reeducation. No patient presented with meningitis during the surveillance.

Discussion

Temporal bone fracture occurs in 18–40% of head trauma [1,2]. Most of these fractures are unilateral, with bilateral fractures are reported in 9% to 20% [3-5]. The primary mechanisms of injury reported include motor vehicle accident (12%–47%), assault (10%–37%), falls (16%–40%), and gunshot wound (3%–33%). [1,2,5-9]. Facial nerve injury occurs in 10% to 25% of longitudinal fractures and 38% to 50% of transverse fractures. Darrouzet and al studied 115 patients who had temporal bone fracture with facial nerve injuries and found paresis in 23%, complete immediate paralysis in 52%, complete delayed paralysis in 15%, and 10% whose severe intracranial injuries precluded determination of paralysis onset [10,11].

Reported incidence rates are 14% to 23% for sensorineural hearing loss, including 14% with complete sensorineural hearing loss; and 20% to 55% for mixed [3-5,10]. Initial audiometry frequently finds CHL secondary to the hemotympanum; however, it gives an idea on hearing level, especially in SNHL [10]. Full audiological assessment is redone 3 to 6 weeks; the time of resolution of the hemotympanum [10]. Grove reported an incidence of 32.6% of sensorineural hearing loss. Vertigo after temporal bone trauma may be secondary to either vestibular concussion in otic capsule sparing or vestibular destruction in otic capsule disruption setting. It is usually self-limiting and resolves within 6 to 12 months from central adaptation.

Pneumolabyrinth or pneumocochlea are conditions in which the vestibule or cochlea is filled with air. It is rarely described in the literature [12-13]. For patients with hearing loss, early audiometric evaluation will frequently show conductive hearing loss secondary to hemotympanum. It is therefore advised that audiogram should be repeated about 1-2 months after the injury. Sensorineural hearing loss may show improvement over time but tends to persist and is refractory to treatment Intravenous corticosteroids are sometimes used for sensorineural hearing loss following temporal bone trauma.

Patients who have mild to moderate SNHL are usually treated with standard hearing aid amplification. For unilateral profound SNHL, bone anchored hearing aid has been demonstrated with good outcome [14]. Patients with profound bilateral hearing loss caused by bilateral temporal bone fractures may benefit from cochlear implantation if the functions of the auditory nerves and brain are intact, and scans show cochlear patency. There are several factors to be considered such as the number of surviving ganglion cells, the patency of the cochlea after a fracture labyrinthitis ossificans [15,16].

Conclusion

Temporal bone fracture is highly associated with loss of auditory and vestibular functions. The consequence is cochleovestibular damage with a clear history and symptomatology. The diagnosis must be made as soon as possible after the trauma as the auditory prognosis can be improved by early treatment. Auditory sequelae can go as far as profound hearing loss.

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