Endoscope Assisted Subcochlear Approach for Symptomatic Petrous Apex Effusion

Abstract

Petrous apex effusions are rare disorders and usually occur in the petrous apex (PA) having well-aerated cells and it may present with several symptoms or can be diagnosed incidentally on imaging methods obtained for another reason. If there are persistent symptoms despite the conservative treatment in symptomatic patients, a surgical attempt can be considered. In patients with favorable hearing levels and with the well-pneumatized petrous bone, PA cells may be effectively drained through subcochlear or supracochlear approaches by preserving patient's hearing levels. In this case report, the authors presented a severe symptomatic patient with petrous apex effusion who did not respond to conservative treatment and petrous apex drainage was performed via the subcochlear approach.