Carotid Artery Prolapse and Myringocarotidopexy in Osteogenesis Imperfecta

摘要

Osteogenesis Imperfecta is a rare genetic disorder of connective tissue that is caused by an error in collagen formation. The disease is characterized by abnormal bone fragility, osteopenia, blue discoloration of the sclerae and hearing loss. Chronic non-suppurative otitis media is frequent in Osteogenesis Imperfecta patients and usually attributed to Eustachian tube dysfunction due to cranial molding and deformities. In some cases of severe Osteogenesis Imperfecta, the fragile bone of the petrous carotid canal can be broken down by the pulsations of the carotid artery, this may result in prolapse of the carotid artery into the protympanum with resultant Eustachian tube obstruction and tympanic membrane retraction with adhesion to prolapsed carotid artery, a condition called myringocarotidopexy.