Electromechanical Reshaping of Porcine Eustachian Tube Cartilage Ex Vivo.

Background And Objectives: The Eustachian tube cartilage (ETC) is the cartilaginous frame of the Eustachian tube (ET), which plays a pivotal role in its function. Existing treatments for ET dysfunction (ETD) are primarily based on mechanical deformation. Electromechanical reshaping (EMR) is a novel method used to reshape the cartilage into the desired form by applying an electric current using strategically placed needles for mechanical deformation.

Changes in the Incidence of Pediatric Otitis Media Pre- and Post-COVID-19 Pandemic in South Korea: A Study Utilizing a HIRA-Customized Cohort for the Population Aged ≤18 Years.

Objectives: To investigate the changes in the incidence of otitis media and ventilation tube insertion (VTI) rates among South Koreans aged ≤18 years since the COVID-19 pandemic and analyze the impact of social distancing and increased personal hygiene.

Study Design: A retrospective cohort study utilizing health insurance claim data.

Setting: Healthcare facilities across South Korea.

Consensus Statement: Postoperative Management After Balloon Dilation of the Eustachian Tube.

Objectives: Balloon dilation of the Eustachian tube (BDET) is widely recognized as a minimally invasive treatment for obstructive Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD). We employed a Delphi consensus methodology to develop recommendations for the clinical management of BDET in cases of obstructive ETD.

Methods: A Delphi panel consisting of 26 expert physicians specializing in otology participated in two rounds of anonymous, iterative questionnaires.

Comparison of the 3D-Exoscope and Operating Microscope in Mastoidectomy.

Objectives: The operating microscope (OM) commonly used in ear surgeries has several disadvantages, including a low depth of field, a narrow field of view, and unfavorable ergonomic characteristics. The exoscope (EX) was developed to overcome these disadvantages. Herein, we compared OM and EX during mastoidectomy and found out the feasibility of the EX.

Surgical technique for complicated preauricular sinus: Pilot study of double elliptical excision with coaptation suture.

Objectives: Preauricular sinus (PAS) is a congenital anomaly that can progress to complicated cases with granulation tissue around the PAS area due to skin inflammation. Treatment involves incision and drainage or continuous dressing; however, surgical treatment may be necessary. We evaluated a surgical method for the effective treatment of complicated PAS.

The Effectiveness of Salvage Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Following Combined Steroid Therapy for Refractory Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

Objective: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is an accepted treatment option for sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), but it is still recommended in combination with corticosteroids. We investigated the efficacy of salvage HBOT in refractory SSNHL that does not respond to corticosteroid combination therapy.

Methods: Eighty-four patients were included, who had unilateral SSNHL with an improvement of pure-tone average (PTA) less than 10 dB after using intratympanic plus systemic corticosteroids (combined therapy) as the initial therapy.

Prospective Study of Nonsurgical Auricular Correction According to Timing of Treatment.

Background: Many studies recommend nonsurgical auricular correction during the early postnatal period, when cartilage plasticity is high; however, many patients are not eligible for the procedure. This study compared different timings of nonsurgical auricular correction to investigate benefit after the optimal period for correction.

Methods: In this prospective study, 53 ears from 35 patients with congenital auricular anomaly were assigned to 2 groups according to age at correction: the early group, with correction within 2 weeks of birth, and the late group, with correction 8 weeks after birth.

Differences in the metabolomic profile of the human palatine tonsil between pediatrics and adults.

Palatine tonsils (PT) are B cell-predominant lymphoid organs that provide primary immune responses to airborne and dietary pathogens. Numerous histopathological and immunological studies have been conducted on PT, yet no investigations have been conducted on its metabolic profile. We performed high-resolution magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy-based metabolic profiling in 35 pediatric and 28 adult human palatine tonsillar tissue samples.

Hearing recovery prediction and prognostic factors of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss: a retrospective analysis with a deep neural network model.

Objective: Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (ISSHL) is an otologic emergency, and an early prediction of prognosis may facilitate proper treatment. Therefore, we investigated the prognostic factors for predicting the recovery in patients with ISSHL treated with combined treatment method using machine learning models.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 298 patients with ISSHL at a tertiary medical institution between January 2015 and September 2020.

Effects of Particulate Matter Exposure on the Eustachian Tube and Middle Ear Mucosa of Rats.

Objectives: Particulate matter (PM) is a risk factor for various diseases. Recent studies have established an association between otitis media (OM) and PM exposure. To confirm this relationship, we developed a novel exposure model designed to control the concentration of PM, and we observed the effects of PM exposure on the Eustachian tube (ET) and middle ear mucosa of rats.

Outcomes of Endoscopic Tympanoplasty for Large Perforations: A Multicenter Retrospective Study in South Korea.

Objectives: Endoscopic tympanoplasty (ET) provides minimally invasive transcanal access to the middle ear and improves middle ear visibility for the treatment of tympanic membrane (TM) perforations. However, the literature on surgical outcomes for large TM perforations is lacking and limited to small series. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical benefits of ET for large TM perforations.

Outcomes of Endoscopic Congenital Cholesteatoma Removal in South Korea.

Importance: Transcanal endoscopic ear surgery (TEES) provides minimally invasive transcanal access to the middle ear and improves middle ear visibility during cholesteatoma resection. However, the literature on outcomes following TEES alone for the removal of congenital cholesteatoma (CC) is lacking and limited to small series.

Objective: To assess outcomes of TEES for CC limited to the middle ear and/or mastoid antrum and to explore the risk factors associated with recidivism (ie, recurrent and/or residual cholesteatoma).

Patulous eustachian tube after balloon eustachian tuboplasty in a post-radiation patient.

Background: Balloon eustachian tuboplasty (BET) is a minimally invasive surgical treatment that is effective and safe for obstructive eustachian tube dysfunction. However, BET complications include excessive widening of the eustachian tube, causing a patulous eustachian tube (PET). Herein, we report a case of PET following BET in a patient who underwent radiation therapy and reviewed the literature on considerations for reducing complications after BET.

The Optimized Protocol of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy For Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the optimal protocol of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) according to various treatment settings for sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL).

Methods: A 112 patients with SSNHL were enrolled in this prospective study. All patients were treated with systemic steroid therapy, intratympanic steroid therapy, and HBOT.

Clinical features and prognosis of severe-to-profound sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Purpose: Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is an otologic emergency. Despite multiple efforts to clarify the factors affecting the prognosis of severe-to-profound SSNHL, various studies showed inconsistent results and lack of clinical significance. Therefore, we examined the clinical features and outcomes of severe-to-profound SSNHL.

A multicenter, randomized, active-controlled, clinical trial study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of navigation guided balloon Eustachian tuboplasty.

To assess the safety and efficacy of navigation-guided balloon Eustachian tuboplasty (BET) compared to medical management (MM) alone in patients with chronic Eustachian tube dilatory dysfunction (ETD). This is a prospective, multicenter, 1:1 parallel-group, randomized controlled trial (RCT). It aims to assess the efficacy of navigation-guided BET compared to MM alone in patients with chronic ETD.

Effects of cigarette smoke on Haemophilus influenzae-induced otitis media in a rat model.

Exposure to cigarette smoke (CS) is a factor that could delay or worsen the recovery of otitis media (OM) by causing inflammatory swelling of the Eustachian tube (ET). However, despite the suggested relationship, little is known about the association between OM and CS. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effects of CS on the development, progression, and recovery of OM, as well as the histological and molecular changes caused by CS exposure, by using a rat model of OM infected with non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi).

Drop Attack Treated by Microvascular Decompression of the Superior Vestibular Nerve.

We report a case of cochleovestibular neurovascular compressive syndrome (CVCS)-induced drop attack treated with microvascular decompression (MVD) of the superior vestibular nerve. This report discusses the merits of surgical intervention through a review of related literature. A 58-year-old woman was referred to our clinic with a chief complaint of intermittent, strong, right-sided tinnitus lasting for a few seconds immediately prior to drop attack.

Device failure caused by the dissociation of floating mass transducer in Vibrant SoundBridge®.

Background: Vibrant SoundBridge® (VSB), a semi-implantable middle ear device, is one of the treatment options for patients with mild-to-severe sensorineural hearing loss or mixed hearing loss. Herein, we report delayed device failure after VSB surgery in two patients.

Case Presentation: In both cases, a revision surgery was performed for the removal of the device; dissociation of the floating mass transducer (FMT) and coupler was noticed in one patient, and dissociation of the FMT-coupler complex from the short process of the incus in the other.

The Clinical Value of Periventricular White Matter Hyperintensity on MRI in Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

Objectives: To assess the clinical value of periventricular white matter hyperintensity (PWMH) found on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL).

Methods: In this prospective study, 115 patients who were diagnosed with SSNHL aged between 55 and 75 years were analyzed. All subjects underwent brain MRI and were divided into a PWMH and control groups, depending on the presence of PWMH on MRI.

A longitudinal study of changes of congenital auricular deformity regarding self-correction.

This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with congenital auricular deformities and evaluate the long-term frequency of their self-correction. Ninety newborns were enrolled in the study, and data were collected within 2 weeks after birth and at 1 year. The shape of the auricle was classified into seven categories using a digital image.