Malleo-incudal osteoma: an unexpected finding during surgery for presumed otosclerosis.

Objective: To report a rare case of a symptomatic malleo-incudal osteoma, and to highlight the difficulties in making the clinical diagnosis.

Method: Case report and literature review.

Results: Malleo-incudal osteoma is a rare cause of unilateral conductive hearing loss. Its symptoms may mimic those of other otological causes of conductive hearing loss, such as otosclerosis.

Conclusion: This case report highlights the challenges involved in establishing a clinical diagnosis of malleo-incudal osteoma. It also emphasises the importance of assessing the mobility of the divided ossicular chain during a planned stapedectomy.