Séquelles otologiques des traumatismes craniocervicaux

Auditory and vestibular sequelae are very frequent after craniocervical traumas (75%) due to traffic or professional accidents. A pathophysiological review identifies cranial traumas with bone lesion and those without; it describes ear drum, ossicular, labyrinth, facial or meningeal injuries. Those otologic lesions induced by cervical traumas are analysed apart from this review. The means used for the evaluation of hearing disorders and post-traumatic balance disorders include clinical assessment, specific instrumental investigations and imaging. Attributability criteria for an auditory or a vestibular lesion are presented prior to damage assessment. In terms of ear-nose-throat (ENT) medicine, criteria related to common law, working accidents, civil service and disability, are successively reviewed.