Superior canal dehiscence

Bogengangsdehiszenz that causes a hyper- sensitivity to sound and balance disorders, is an extremely rare condition that was first described in 1998 by Lloyd Minor of Johns Hopkins University in the U.S. Baltimore.

The causes of this disease are in a thinning or complete disappearance of the bony covering of the superior semicircular canal in the inner ear. This may be due to physical action from the outside, although there are various indications for a genetic predisposition. One can prove this defect using a computed tomography, by mapping the affected area of the temporal bone. This is currently (as of 2007 ) the only reliable method is to distinguish between Bogengangsdehiszenz and Meniere's disease.

If the diagnosis is established, there are currently two surgical options: Just replace the missing bone layer or bringing a plug in the archway, which is bonded to a bony layer.

Symptoms

The Bogengangsdehiszenz can affect both hearing and balance to varying degrees.

• Autophony: the own voice and other body sounds (eg heartbeat, eye movements, chewing noises, footsteps ) are perceived louder than normal
• Vertigo: often reinforced by noise
• Tullio phenomenon - nystagmus ( eye movements ), and dizziness caused by noise in a certain frequency and / or volume in the affected ear and / or pressure changes
• Pulse- synchronous oscillopsia
• Hearing loss in the low frequency range
• In some cases caused Bogengangsdehiszenz chronic balance disorders
• Feeling of pressure in the affected ear
• Pulse- synchronous tinnitus

A proper diagnosis of this disease is of particular importance, as this unnecessary middle ear surgery can be avoided.