Temporal bone histopathology in charge association

Three temporal bones obtained at autopsy from 2 patients with CHARGE association (Coloboma, congenital Heart disease, Atresia of choanae, mental Retardation and/or central nervous system anomalies, Genital hypoplasia, and Ear anomalies) were examined histopathologically. Both temporal bones from I patient showed multiple anomalies in the middle ear, inner ear, and facial nerve. However, the temporal bone obtained from the other patient showed almost normal structures in the inner ear, middle ear, and eustachian tube. These results are different from those of 2 previous reports of temporal bone histopathology regarding CHARGE association. This difference suggests that CHARGE association may arise not from one etiopathogenetic factor, but from complex factors. Special attention to dehiscent facial canal and perilymphatic gusher during otologic surgery in patients with CHARGE association is discussed.