Hostname: page-component-745bb68f8f-hvd4g Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-01-11T16:01:36.275Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

‘Honeycomb’ tegmen: multiple tegmen defects associated with superior semicircular canal dehiscence

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 October 2009

R Suryanarayanan  and
T H Lesser
R Suryanarayanan*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Aintree University Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
T H Lesser
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Aintree University Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr R Suryanarayanan, 56 California Close, Warrington WA5 8WU, UK. E-mail: drsury@gmail.com
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective:

To report the coexistence of multiple tegmen defects, forming a ‘honeycomb’ pattern, together with dehiscence of the superior semicircular canal.

Case reports:

We describe three cases in which the above findings were noted, and we review the relevant literature.

Conclusion:

Superior semicircular canal dehiscence is defined as the absence of portions of bone over the canal along the floor of the middle fossa. Most published articles describe the defect as an isolated finding which is either unilateral or bilateral. Studies on temporal bones show either a defect over the superior semicircular canal or isolated defects over the tegmen. We describe three cases in which we found multiple tegmen defects, giving a characteristic honeycomb appearance, coexisting with dehiscence over the superior semicircular canal. This finding, which supports the theory of a developmental defect as the origin of the condition, has not previously been reported. A literature review is presented, with discussion of the aetiology and management of superior semicircular canal dehiscence.

Keywords

Semicircular CanalsVertigoDehiscence
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 124 , Issue 5 , May 2010 , pp. 560 - 563
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2009

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1Minor, LB, Solomon, D, Zinreich, JS, Zee, DS. Sound and/or pressure induced vertigo due to bone dehiscence of the superior semicircular canal. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1998;124:249–58CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2Carey, JP, Minor, LB, Nager, GT. Dehiscence or thinning of bone overlying the superior semicircular canal in a temporal bone survey. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2000;126:137–47CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3Ahren, C, Thulin, CA. Lethal intracranial complications following inflation in the external auditory canal in treatment of serous otitis media and due to defects in the petrous bone. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) 1965;60:407–21CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4Lang, DV. Macroscopic bony deficiency of the tegmen tympani in adult temporal bones. J Laryngol Otol 1983;97:685–8CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5Kapur, TR, Bangash, W. Tegmental and petromastoid defects in the temporal bone. J Laryngol Otol 1986;100:1129–32CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6Tsunoda, A, Terasaki, O. Dehiscence of the bony roof of the superior semicircular canal in the middle cranial fossa. J Laryngol Otol 2002;116:514–18CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7Banerjee, A, Whyte, A, Atlas, MD. Superior canal dehiscence: review of a new condition. Clin Otol 2005;30:9–15CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8Watson, SRD, Halmagyi, GM, Coltebach, JG. Vestibular hypersensitivity to sound (Tullio phenomenon): structural and functional assessment. Neurology 2000;54:722–8CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9Ostrowski, VB, Byskosh, A, Hain, TC. Tullio phenomenon with dehiscence of the superior semicircular canal. Otol Neurotol 2001;22:61–5CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10Minor, LB. Superior canal dehiscence syndrome. Am J Otol 2000;21:9–19CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
11Minor, LB. Clinical manifestations of superior semicircular canal dehiscence. Laryngoscope 2005;115:1717–27CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
12Mikulec, AA, Poe, DS, McKenna, MJ. Operative management of superior semicircular canal dehiscence. Laryngoscope 2005;115:501–7CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13Minor, LB, Carey, JP, Cremer, PD, Lustig, LR, Streubel, SO, Ruckenstein, MJ. Dehiscence of bone overlying the superior canal as a cause of apparent conductive hearing loss. Otol Neurotol 2003;24:270–8CrossRefGoogle Scholar
14Ramsey, MJ, McKenna, MJ, Barker, FG. Superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome. J Neurosurg 2004;100:123–4CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
15Aggarwal, R, Green, KM, Ramsden, RT. Epilepsy following middle-fossa extradural retraction: implications for driving. J Laryngol Otol 2005;119:853–5CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed