Perilymphatic fistula: a Washington, DC, experience.

One hundred ninety-seven patients who underwent surgical repair for a presumed unilateral perilymphatic fistula were reviewed. Of those patients, 87% with vestibular symptoms reported complete or near-complete relief of their symptoms. Forty percent of the patients with sudden hearing loss had an improvement in their hearing levels. An analysis of several diagnostic tests revealed their sensitivity and specificity ratings. A review of the patients' operative records showed a marked disparity between the visual identification of an actual fluid leak during surgery and their postoperative outcome. This review supports the premise that at the present time, the patient's surgical outcome is the best way of documenting a successfully repaired perilymphatic fistula.