Isolated malleus-handle fracture

Objective: Isolated malleus fracture is a rare ossicular injury with less than 80 cases published in the literature. The aim of this paper is to present a series of 3 patients with isolated malleus handle fracture, to review the literature and to discuss clinical presentation, imaging findings and treatment options. Methods: We retrospectively a case series of 3 patients with isolated malleus handle fracture managed at a tertiary referral otologic center. Results: The three patients related the same history of digitally manipulating the external auditory canal, leading to a sudden hearing loss and feeling of aural fullness. Meticulous otomicroscopy revealed the broken malleus with excessive movement of the distal part of the malleus on pneumatic otoscopy. High-resolution CT scan with multiplanar reconstruction along the axis of the malleus confirmed the fractures and displacments. One patient was treated conservatively and two underwent ossiculoplasty. Conclusion: Malleus handle fracture should be systematically suspected in case of hearing loss and aural fullness of sudden onset after digital manipulation of the external auditory canal. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.