The remarkable integrity of the finely balanced membranous labyrinth is occasionally disrupted, resulting in fistulae of various types in a number of locations. Such leaking labyrinth lesions can be of congenital origin, due to various types of malformations. They may be caused by destructive diseases such as syphilis, by many variants of acute and chronic otomastoiditis, and sequelae of otosclerosis surgery, and finally, as results of a variety of traumatic disruptions of labyrinthine integrity. Deafness, dizziness, and tinnitus are frequent symptoms and sequelae may include meningitis and other intracranial complications. The clinical consideration of leaking labyrinth lesions must always be considered in otologic diagnoses.
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