What Researchers Did
Researchers reported on a series of 11 cases of perilymphatic fistula following ear barotrauma after underwater diving between 2003 and 2015.
What They Found
Of 11 patients, eight developed perilymphatic fistula after scuba diving and three after free diving. Seven cases showed a fistula of the cochlear fenestra during surgical exploration, with six having active perilymph leakage. After temporal fascia grafting, prompt resolution of dizziness occurred, and seven patients experienced early, stable, subtotal recovery of hearing.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients experiencing cochleovestibular symptoms like hearing loss or dizziness after diving should seek urgent medical evaluation for potential inner-ear barotrauma. Early diagnosis and surgical intervention for perilymphatic fistula can lead to significant improvement in symptoms like dizziness and hearing.
Canadian Relevance
This study does not have a direct Canadian connection as it was conducted in France.
Study Limitations
The main limitation of this study is its small sample size of 11 cases, which limits the generalizability of the findings.