In the early 1980s, Perkins began using the laser for stapedotomy in a procedure in which a small hole is made in the footplate, as opposed to complete or subtotal removal. Several techniques and approaches commonly are used today, with largely excellent results. A few challenges remain, such as those patients enduring sensorineural hearing loss and unsteadiness, but many feel surgical treatment for otosclerosis has reached perfection. Evidence recently has mounted that the measles virus plays an important role in gene activation of otosclerosis. This hypothesis is supported by a declining incidence of otosclerosis since measles vaccinations became widespread.
Otosclerosis is an osseous dyscrasia limited to the temporal bone.
Slowly progressive conductive hearing loss results. Frequency, as mentioned above, is thought to be decreasing secondary to measles vaccination. Otosclerosis is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern with incomplete penetrance. Women are two times more likely to develop the disease than are men. Otosclerosis generally is limited to the Caucasian population.