Benign esophageal tumors are rare. Reports by most authors refer to a single case found in a routine esophageal examination. 1-3 One third of these lesions are polyps, and myomas are the second most frequent tumor diagnosed. Fibrolipoma has been found in a few and usually becomes large before symptoms occur. Death by regurgitation of this tumor and obstruction of the upper airway has been reported. 4 Other serious problems may occur such as malignant degeneration of the distal end of the tumor, anemia, and melena.
To specifically determine the frequency and type of middle ear abnormalities associated with perilymphatic fistula (PLF), a retrospective chart review was performed of 94 patients (117 ears) who underwent exploratory tympanotomy for PLF from 1980 to 1989. Of the 117 ears explored, 80 (68.4%) had a PLF, and in 65 (81.3%) of these ears, a middle ear malformation was associated with the PLF. Of these 65 ears in which a congenital middle ear abnormality was observed, a malformed stapes was the most common abnormality seen (39 ears, 60%), followed by a deformed round window (20 ears, 30.8%), a deformed incus (11 ears, 16.9%), and a deformed promontory (2 ears, 3%). Often these malformations coexisted amongst themselves or with inner ear abnormalities. Sixteen children (25 ears) had an inner ear malformation identified on computed tomography (CT); all of these children had a PLF found at the time of surgery. This study demonstrated that 86.3% of the ears found to have a PLF had a deformity of the middle ear, inner ear, or both. A malformation of the stapes, most frequently identified as a deformity of its superstructure (and presumably also the anterior footplate), was the most common congenital middle ear abnormality found to be associated with PLF in children.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.