Hyrtl's fissures in cochlear implant surgery.
This case study presents a rare anatomical anomaly complicating cochlear implantation in the form of patent periotic ducts and Hyrtl's (tympanomeningeal) fissures. Hyrtl's fissures are transient anatomical conduits which normally ossify by the 24th week of gestation. Their persistence may cause inadvertent insertion of the cochlear implant electrode into this channel and prevent a successful outcome. This case study and a review of the relevant literature highlights the importance of recognizing this rare anomaly which is easily missed on preoperative imaging.
['Xie|C|C|', 'Harris|R|R|']
D003051:Cochlea D019929:Cochlear Implantation D003054:Cochlear Implants D004567:Electrodes, Implanted D006801:Humans D013701:Temporal Bone
Cochlear implant Periotic duct Cochlear aqueduct Hyrtl’s fissure Temporal bone anatomy Temporal bone embryology Tympanomeningeal fissure