Characteristics of clinical audiology in patients with endolymphatic sac tumor

Objective To analyze the characteristics of clinical audiology in patients with endolymphatic sac tumor (ELST). Methods The clinical data about 16 patients with pathology and immunohistochemistry-confirmed ELST admitted to our hospital from 1999 to 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. Results Different types and severities of hearing impairment were detected in the 16 patients, which were mainly manifested as total deafness, hearing loss in high frequency band, profound sensorineural hearing loss, mixed hearing loss and mild conductive hearing loss. Of the 9 patients who underwent tympanogram test, 4 were diagnosed with type A tympanic curve, one with type B tympanic curve and 4 with type C tympanic curve with a tympanic pressure of -130--220 daPa, and 8 without acoustic reflex and 1 with acoustic reflex. Conclusion Patients with ELST have different types and severities of hearing loss. The severity of hearing loss is closely related with the tumor invasion size and direction, involvement of middle and inner ear, and the course of ELST.