We describe only the third reported case of congenital, bilaterally absent incudes that were not accompanied by another otologic abnormality. This condition was detected in a 3-year-old boy who was being evaluated for a hearing impairment and speech and language delay. The patient was treated with partial ossicular replacement prostheses, which resulted in an improvement in his hearing.
References
1.
SheaJJIII, SheaJJJr., OrchikDJ, EmmettJR. Congenital absence of the incus: A novel method of reconstruction. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg1987;97:413–5.
2.
SohKB, TanKK. Congenital absence of incus—a rare abnormality. Ann Acad Med Singapore1995;24:333–5.
3.
HigashiK, YamakawaK, ItaniO, TogawaK.Familial ossicular malformations: Case report and review of literature. Am J Med Genet1987;28:655–9.
4.
FunasakaS, AbeH, TozukaG, TokumasuK.Anomalies of the ossicles without malformations of the external ear. Otologia (Fukuoka)1971;17:250–7.
5.
HoughJVD. Malformations and anatomical variations seen in the middle ear during operations on the stapes: A manual prepared for the use of graduates in medicine. American Academy of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology, 1961.
6.
HoughJVD. Malformations and anatomical variations seen in the middle ear during the operation for mobilization of the stapes. Laryngoscope1958;68:1337–79.
7.
HoughJVD. Congenital malformations of the middle ear. Arch Otolaryngol1963;78:355–43.
8.
HoughJVD. Incudostapedial joint separation: Etiology, treatment and significance. Laryngoscope1959;69:1337–79.
9.
BowdenRE. Development of the middle and external ear in man. Proc R Soc Med1977;70:807–15.