Impact of Modifiable Surgical Factors on Ossiculoplasty Outcomes After Controlling for Ear Environment Risk: A Multi-Institutional Study.

Objective: To determine the impact of modifiable surgical factors on ossiculoplasty outcomes after controlling for ear environment risk.

Study Design: Multi-institutional retrospective review.

Setting: Six tertiary care centers from 2011 to 2019.

A Multi-Center Study of Ossiculoplasty Hearing Outcomes and a Grading Scale of Ear Environment Risk.

Objective: To determine which ear environment risk factors impact ossiculoplasty hearing outcomes and to generate a statistically-valid grading system for ossiculoplasty outcome reporting.

Study Type: Retrospective case series.

Methods: A multi-institutional database was generated from cases performed between 2011 and 2019.

Frequency-Specific Analysis of Hearing Outcomes Associated with Ossiculoplasty Versus Stapedotomy.

Objective: Surgery on the ossicular chain may impact its underlying mechanical properties. This study aims to investigate comparative differences in frequency-specific hearing outcomes for ossiculoplasty versus stapedotomy.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on subjects who underwent ossiculoplasty with partial ossicular replacement prosthesis (PORP) or laser stapedotomy with self-crimping nitinol/fluoroplastic piston, and achieved closure of postoperative pure tone average air-bone gap (PTA-ABG) ≤ 15 dB.

The Utility of Numeric Grading Scales of Middle Ear Risk in Predicting Ossiculoplasty Hearing Outcomes.

Objective: To assess the usefulness of numeric grading scales of middle ear risk in predicting ossiculoplasty hearing outcomes.

Study Design: Retrospective review.

Setting: Tertiary care, academic medical center.

Reconstruction of Mastoid Cortex Defects with Hydroxyapatite Cement for Negative Sequelae of Mastoidectomy.

Objectives: Mastoid cortex defects resulting from mastoidectomy surgery can rarely lead to negative sequelae, including unsightly post-auricular depression and discomfort. This study sought to evaluate the use of hydroxyapatite cement (HAC) to reconstruct mastoidectomy cortex defects.

Methods: Retrospective chart review was undertaken for all patients that underwent reconstruction of the mastoid cortex using HAC at a single tertiary medical center between 2013 and 2019.

Ipsilateral Cochlear Implantation in the Presence of Observed and Irradiated Vestibular Schwannomas.

Objectives: Historically, eventual loss of cochlear nerve function has limited patients with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) to auditory brainstem implants (ABI), which in general are less effective than modern cochlear implants (CI). Our objective is to evaluate hearing outcomes following ipsilateral cochlear implantation in patients with NF2 and irradiated vestibular schwannomas (VS), and sporadic VS that have been irradiated or observed.

Methods: Multi-center retrospective analysis of ipsilateral cochlear implantation in the presence of observed and irradiated VS.

Histology of the Cochlear Outer Sulcus Cells in Normal Human Ears, Presbycusis, and Menière's Disease.

Hypothesis: Outer sulcus cell features and distribution are hypothesized to differ throughout regions of the human cochlea and between diseased and normal specimens.

Background: Outer sulcus cells play a role in inner ear fluid homeostasis. However, their anatomy and distribution in the human are not well described.

On the Relationship Between Menière's Disease and Endolymphatic Hydrops.

: The relationship between Menière's disease and endolymphatic hydrops is ambiguous. On the one hand, the existence of cases of endolymphatic hydrops lacking the classic symptoms of Menière's disease has prompted the assertion that endolymphatic hydrops alone is insufficient to cause symptoms and drives the hypothesis that endolymphatic hydrops is a mere epiphenomenon. Yet, on the other hand, there is considerable evidence suggesting a relationship between the mechanical pressure effects of endolymphatic hydrops and resultant disordered auditory physiology and symptomatology.

Delineation of the intratemporal facial nerve in a cadaveric specimen on diffusion tensor imaging using a 9.4 T magnetic resonance imaging scanner: a technical note.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the intratemporal facial nerve could be delineated on 9.4 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using T2-weighted and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). DTI using a b value of 3000 and an isotropic resolution of 0.

Impact of cochlear tonotopy on electrically evoked compound action potentials (ECAPs).

Background: A wide range of cochlear implant electrode designs exists. Lateral wall electrodes may be favored for their potential to preserve residual hearing by virtue of being thin and delicate; whereas perimodiolar electrodes may have advantages in case of profound hearing loss, due to electrode positioning in close proximity to the auditory nerve fibers.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of these two array designs on the interaction between electrodes and the auditory nerve in different tonotopic regions of the cochlea.

Histopathology of the Mucosa of Eustachian Tube Orifice at the Middle Ear in Chronic Otitis Media With Effusion: Possible Insight Into Tuboplasty Failure.

Introduction: Balloon dilation of the cartilaginous segment of the Eustachian tube has emerged as a means to directly augment tubal dilatory function, and this has been applied as a potential treatment for otitis media with effusion (OME). Although results of clinical studies involving this modality appear promising, there are still a moderate number of ears affected by OME that do not respond. The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of mucosa of the Eustachian tube at the middle ear orifice in OME as it may relate to some cases of tuboplasty failure.

Combined petrosal approach.

Purpose Of Review: The combined petrosal approach to the lateral skull base merges a retrolabyrinthine-presigmoid posterior fossa craniotomy with an adjacent middle fossa craniotomy, which are rendered continuous by division of the tentorium. This is a hearing-preserving approach that affords wide access to the lateral aspect of the clivus, the prepontine space, and the cerebellopontine angle.

Recent Findings: This article details the historical development of the combined petrosal approach alongside a description.

Human Superior Olivary Nucleus Neuron Populations in Subjects With Normal Hearing and Presbycusis.

Introduction: Normative data on superior olivary nucleus neuron counts derived from human specimens are sparse, and little is known about their coherence with structure and function of the cochlea. The purpose of this study was to quantify the neuron populations of the divisions of the superior olivary nucleus in human subjects with normal hearing and presbycusis and investigate potential relationships between these findings and histopathology in the cochlea and hearing phenotype Methods: Histopathologic examination of temporal bone and brainstem specimens from 13 subjects having normal hearing or presbycusis was undertaken. The following was determined for each: number and density of superior olivary nucleus and cochlear nucleus neurons, inner and outer hair cell counts, spiral ganglion cell counts, and pure tone audiometry.

Newly Diagnosed Meniere's Disease: Clinical Course With Initiation of Noninvasive Treatment Including an Accounting of Vestibular Migraine.

Objective: To describe the course of Meniere's disease with noninvasive treatment during the first few years after initial diagnosis.

Methods: A retrospective review of consecutive patients with newly diagnosed definite Meniere's disease between 2013 and 2016 and a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Patients received a written plan for low sodium, water therapy, and treatment with a diuretic and/or betahistine.

In Vitro Susceptibility of Ciprofloxacin-Resistant Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus to Ototopical Therapy.

Objective Despite the rising incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) otologic infections, choice of treatment remains controversial. Only fluoroquinolone-containing ototopical preparations are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for middle ear application. Furthermore, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation guidelines advocate ototopical monotherapy for both tympanostomy tube otorrhea and acute otitis externa.

Advantages and Complications of Fisch Partial Mastoidotympanectomy for Tumors of the Retromandibular Fossa and Poststyloid Space.

 This study aims to characterize a single surgeon's experience with resection of tumors of the retromandibular fossa and poststyloid space utilizing the Fisch partial mastoidotympanectomy (FPMT) technique of partial temporal bone resection.  Retrospective review.  Academic medical center.

Age-Related Change in Vestibular Ganglion Cell Populations in Individuals With Presbycusis and Normal Hearing.

Hypothesis: We sought to establish that the decline of vestibular ganglion cell counts uniquely correlates with spiral ganglion cell counts, cochlear hair cell counts, and hearing phenotype in individuals with presbycusis.

Background: The relationship between aging in the vestibular system and aging in the cochlea is a topic of ongoing investigation. Histopathologic age-related changes the vestibular system may mirror what is seen in the cochlea, but correlations with hearing phenotype and the impact of presbycusis are not well understood.

Surgery for Cholesteatomatous Labyrinthine Fistula.

Objective: There is uncertainty regarding the ideal surgical management of cholesteatomatous labyrinthine fistulae. The objective was to review the published evidence to determine whether a difference exists in hearing outcome for cholesteatoma matrix removal or matrix exteriorization.

Data Sources: Systematic MEDLINE and Web of Science searches identified publications describing hearing results after cholesteatoma matrix removal or matrix exteriorization.

Anatomic basis of the middle temporal artery periosteal rotational flap in otologic surgery.

Objectives/hypothesis: To describe the elements critical to successful middle temporal artery periosteal rotational flap harvest and utilization based on the anatomic features of the middle temporal artery.

Study Design: Description of anatomy based on cadaver dissection.

Methods: Seventy temporal fossa dissections were performed on 35 adult human cadavers.

Rhabdomyosarcoma and other pediatric temporal bone malignancies.

This article outlines the nature of temporal bone malignancy in children, particularly from the viewpoint of a surgeon. This article includes a synopsis of the presentation, workup, and management options for children affected by these uncommon tumors. Particular attention is given to rhabdomyosarcoma, including an update of modern staging, risk classification, and prognosis; however, a concise review of other forms of pediatric temporal bone cancer and an overview of surgical approaches available for treatment is undertaken as well.

Immunotargeted photodynamic therapy for cholesteatoma: in vitro results with anti-EGFR-coated indocyanine green nanocapsules.

Hypothesis: The objective was to test the hypothesis that immunotargeted photodynamic therapy (IT-PDT) using anti-epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR)-coated indocyanine green (ICG) nanocapsules would selectively kill cholesteatoma-derived keratinocytes while sparing middle ear-derived mucosa cells in vitro.

Background: Rates of residual cholesteatoma caused by incomplete microsurgical removal are unacceptably high; thus, development of an adjuvant therapy to safely destroy undetected residual cholesteatoma cells would be desirable. IT-PDT is a possible means to achieve this end.

Hearing preservation surgery for cochlear implantation: a meta-analysis.

Objective: To examine the results of hearing preservation in cochlear implantation surgery to identify surgical technical factors, electrode array design factors, and steroid usage, which predicts greater low-frequency hearing preservation.

Data Sources: A thorough search of Medline and Pubmed of English studies from January 1, 1995, to January 1, 2013, was performed using the key words "electric and acoustic hearing" or "hybrid cochlear implant" or "EAS cochlear implant" or "partial deafness cochlear implant" or "bimodal hearing cochlear implant" or "hearing preservation cochlear implant."

Study Selection: The meta-analysis was conducted according to the PRISMA statement.