Impact of Obesity on Postoperative Complications after Lateral Skull Base Surgery: A Systematic Review.

INTRODUCTION: The relationship between obesity and complications after lateral skull base tumor resection is not clear. There is conflicting evidence regarding the incidence of postoperative complications in this patient population. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between obesity and outcomes following lateral skull base tumor resection. DATA SOURCES: Data were extracted from PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane CENTRAL. METHODS: Included studies assessed the relationship between obesity and outcomes following lateral skull base tumor removal. Studies with ≤5 patients, pediatric patients, duplicate patient populations, or insufficient data were excluded. Two independent investigators reviewed each study for inclusion. A third reviewer served as a tie-breaker for any conflicts. Extracted data includes patient demographics, tumor pathology, surgical approach, and postoperative outcomes including incidence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak and other postoperative complications, length of stay (LOS), and readmission and reoperation rates. Descriptive statistics were used to compare postoperative outcomes for obese and nonobese controls. RESULTS: 14 studies met final inclusion criteria. Nine studies evaluated the relationship between obesity and CSF leaks. Four studies found a significant increase in postoperative CSF leak in obese patients compared to nonobese controls. The remaining studies trended toward an increased incidence of CSF leak in the obese population but did not reach statistical significance. One out of seven studies found that obesity increased postoperative LOS, and one out of five studies found that obesity increased reoperation rates following tumor resection. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results, obesity does not appear to increase LOS, readmission, or reoperation rates after lateral skull base tumor resection. The relationship between obesity and postoperative CSF leak, however, warrants further analysis.

Posterior fossa volume in idiopathic intracranial hypertension: a magnetic resonance imaging-based study.

BACKGROUND: The etiology of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is uncertain. Studies suggest the fundamental cause of the Chiari 1 malformation, a congenitally hypoplastic posterior fossa, may explain the genesis of IIH in some patients. PURPOSE: To assess the hypothesis that linear and volumetric measurements of the posterior fossa (PF) can be used as predictors of IIH. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies on 27 patients with IIH and 14 matched controls was performed. A volumetric sagittal magnetization prepared rapid acquisition gradient echo sequence was used to derive 10 linear cephalometric measurements. Total intracranial and bony posterior fossa volumes (PFVs) were derived by manual segmentation. The ratio of PFV to total intracranial volume was calculated. RESULTS: In total, 41 participants were included, all women. Participants with IIH had higher median body mass index (BMI). No significant differences in linear cephalometric measurements, total intracranial volumes, and PFVs between the groups were identified. Linear measurements were not predictive of volumetric measurements. However, on multivariate logistic regression analysis, the likelihood of IIH decreased significantly per unit increase in relative PFV (odds ratio [OR]=3.66 × 10-50; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.39 × 10-108 to 1.22 × 10-5; P = 0.04). Conversely, the likelihood of IIH increased per unit BMI increase (OR=1.19; 95% CI=1.04-1.47; P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: MRI-based volumetric measurements imply that PF alterations may be partly responsible for the development of IIH and Chiari 1 malformations. Symptoms of IIH may arise due to an interplay between these and metabolic, hormonal, or other factors.

Anxiety, Depression, and Symptom Severity in Patients with Pulsatile and Non-Pulsatile Tinnitus.

OBJECTIVE(S): To compare the rates of anxiety and depression between patients with pulsatile (PT) and non-pulsatile tinnitus (NPT), and their correlation with tinnitus severity. METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional study of consecutive patients presenting either to the otolaryngology clinic for pulsatile (PT) and NPT or to a tertiary care tinnitus habituation program (THP) were administered the tinnitus handicap inventory (THI), 7-item general anxiety disorder scale (GAD-7), and 9-item patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9). Median scores between groups and correlation of scores within groups were calculated and compared. RESULTS: Median THI scores were significantly higher for THP and PT patients as compared with unselected NPT patients (58 and 44 vs. 20, p ≤ 0.001). Median GAD-7 (10 vs. 2.5 and 2, p ≤ 0.001) and PHQ-9 (7 vs. 4 and 4, p = 0.04) scores were highest in THP patients compared with PT and NPT. The strongest correlation between tinnitus handicap and psychiatric measures was seen in THP patients. CONCLUSION: THP patients report higher levels of anxiety and depression compared with PT and other NPT patients. Tinnitus severity correlates more strongly with GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores in THP patients compared with other patient groups. PT patients have a greater self-perceived tinnitus handicap than the general cohort of NPT patients, statistically comparable to THP patients. Despite this, anxiety and depression are not more severe in patients with PT as they are in THP patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2B Laryngoscope, 133:683-688, 2023.

Mars Oxygen ISRU Experiment (MOXIE)-Preparing for human Mars exploration.

MOXIE [Mars Oxygen In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) Experiment] is the first demonstration of ISRU on another planet, producing oxygen by solid oxide electrolysis of carbon dioxide in the martian atmosphere. A scaled-up MOXIE would contribute to sustainable human exploration of Mars by producing on-site the tens of tons of oxygen required for a rocket to transport astronauts off the surface of Mars, instead of having to launch hundreds of tons of material from Earth's surface to transport the required oxygen to Mars. MOXIE has produced oxygen seven times between landing in February 2021 and the end of 2021 and will continue to demonstrate oxygen production during night and day throughout all martian seasons. This paper reviews what MOXIE has accomplished and the implications for larger-scale oxygen-producing systems.

CT of Skull Base Fractures: Classification Systems, Complications, and Management.

As advances in prehospital and early hospital care improve survival of the head-injured patient, radiologists are increasingly charged with understanding the myriad skull base fracture management implications conferred by CT. Successfully parlaying knowledge of skull base anatomy and fracture patterns into precise actionable clinical recommendations is a challenging task. The authors aim to provide a pragmatic overview of CT for skull base fractures within the broader context of diagnostic and treatment planning algorithms. Laterobasal, frontobasal, and posterior basal fracture patterns are emphasized. CT often plays a complementary, supportive, or confirmatory role in management of skull base fractures in conjunction with results of physical examination, laboratory testing, and neurosensory evaluation. CT provides prognostic information about short- and long-term risk of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, encephalocele, meningitis, facial nerve paralysis, hearing and vision loss, cholesteatoma, vascular injuries, and various cranial nerve palsies and syndromes. The radiologist should leverage understanding of specific strengths and limitations of CT to anticipate next steps in the skull base fracture management plan. Additional imaging is warranted to clarify ambiguity (particularly for potential sources of CSF leak); in other cases, clinical and CT criteria alone are sufficient to determine the need for intervention and the choice of surgical approach. The radiologist should be able to envision stepping into a multidisciplinary planning discussion and engaging neurotologists, neuro-ophthalmologists, neurosurgeons, neurointerventionalists, and facial reconstructive surgeons to help synthesize an optimal management plan after reviewing the skull base CT findings at hand. Online supplemental material is available for this article. ©RSNA, 2021.

Survival outcomes of lateral skull base tumors following temporal bone resection.

BACKGROUND: Lateral skull base tumors often necessitate temporal bone resection (TBR), although clinical outcomes can be unfavorable. Factors influencing survival and recurrence after TBR for cutaneous and salivary malignancies were evaluated. METHODS: Twenty-six TBR subjects were included. Survival and recurrence outcomes were estimated at 1, 2, and 5 years postresection. Prognostic factors were analyzed using univariate and multivariate Cox regression. RESULTS: Two years postresection, the overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were 61%, 74%, and 49%, respectively, and 51%, 63%, and 45% at 5 years. On univariate analysis, preoperative facial nerve dysfunction and intraoperative nerve sacrifice worsened OS, DSS, and RFS. Prior surgery and adjuvant radiation independently predicted reduced OS, DSS, and RFS on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality is highest in the first 2 years following resection. Preoperative facial nerve dysfunction, facial nerve sacrifice, and prior radiation are negative predictors of survival and recurrence.

Imaging Characteristics of Sigmoid Sinus Wall Anomalies, Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension, and Spontaneous CSF Leaks.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency of radiographic features of elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) in patients with sigmoid sinus wall anomalies (SSWA) and compare to those in idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and spontaneous CSF (sCSF) leaks. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: Tertiary care center. PATIENTS: 110 patients - 62 SSWAs, 19 IIH, 29 sCSF leaks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographics, comorbidities and radiographic features by diagnosis. RESULTS: Imaging findings indicative of elevated ICP were similar across all three groups, as were body mass index, hyperlipidemia and diabetes. On univariate analysis, sCSF leak patients were significantly older than SSWA (60 vs. 41 years, p < 0.001) and IIH (60 vs. 40 years, p < 0.001) patients. They had a greater prevalence of arachnoid granulations than SSWA (75.8% vs. 37.1%, p < 0.01) and tegmen dehiscence than both SSWA and IIH (93.1% vs. 75.8% vs. 57.8%, p = 0.01), though a lower prevalence of empty sella than SSWA (44.8% vs. 72.5%, p < 0.001). SSWAs were present in roughly 44.3% of IIH and sCSF leak patients, and IIH in roughly 15.8% of SSWA and sCSF leak patients. Age (OR = 1.1, p = 0.001), hypertension (OR = 8.3, p = 0.01) and empty sella (OR = 0.1, p = 0.01) were predictive of sCSF leaks compared to SSWAs on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Many radiographic and clinical features of elevated ICP are found at similar rates among patients with SSWA, IIH and sCSF leaks, suggesting a common underlying process. SSWAs seem to present earlier along this spectrum of phenotypes, while sCSF leaks present later. Differences in age, metabolic syndrome and ICP may influence a patient's clinical presentation.

Presence of hearing loss is predictive of return for further stages of tinnitus therapy following initial education and counseling.

OBJECTIVE: Identify clinical factors that predict the likelihood of patients returning for further evaluation and treatment following stage 1 education and counselling in a staged tinnitus habituation program. DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional study. Demographics, audiometric findings and Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) scores were used for predictive modelling to determine the likelihood of patients returning for subsequent therapy. STUDY SAMPLES: One hundred and ninety consecutive patients treated in an outpatient, staged tinnitus habituation program. RESULTS: Improvements in THI scores were observed in all subjects (n = 119, d = 0.49, p < 0.001), both for those without hearing loss (n = 13, d = 0.54, p = 0.03) and those with hearing loss (n = 106, d = 0.48, p < 0.001) following Stage 1 education and counselling. Subjects with hearing loss were 14 times more likely to return for Stage 2 evaluation (p < 0.001) following completion of Stage 1 education and counselling. CONCLUSION: Subjects with idiopathic subjective non-pulsatile tinnitus across all degrees of tinnitus severity benefit from group education and counselling alone. Subjects with hearing loss, irrespective of most hearing loss configurations, are more likely to return for subsequent stages of the program.

Association of pulse synchronous tinnitus and sigmoid sinus wall abnormalities in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

PURPOSE: Pulse synchronous tinnitus (PT) is common in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and in those with sigmoid sinus wall abnormalities (SSWAs). Although patients with SSWAs and IIH share many clinical features, the incidence of SSWAs in patients with IIH and its relationship to PT in this cohort is less well established. The purpose of this study is to assess the incidence of SSWAs in patients with IIH and PT, and to determine if there is an association between SSWAs and PT in this population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective computed tomography (CT) study of adults with IIH. Subjective PT was correlated with presence or absence of SSWAs on CT. RESULTS: 22 subjects were enrolled and 14 subsequently underwent CT. The incidence of SSWAs was significantly higher in subjects with PT than without (70% vs. 0%, p = 0.02). Mean age, BMI and opening pressures did not differ between those with and without SSWAs or PT. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high incidence of SSWAs in subjects with IIH and PT. These findings support an association between SSWAs and PT, and implicate SSWAs as a possible cause of, or contributing factor to, PT in patients with IIH. Patients with IIH and PT that does not resolve with reducing intracranial pressure should undergo diagnostic CT and consider treatment of a SSWA if present.

Patterns of audiometric threshold shifts from pulsatile tinnitus due to sigmoid sinus wall anomalies.

PURPOSE: To determine the severity and nature of audiometric threshold shifts for patients with pulsatile tinnitus (PT) due to sigmoid sinus wall anomalies (SSWA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 38 patients with SSWAs and available pre-operative audiograms were examined. Low- and high-frequency pure tone averages (LF-PTA, HF-PTA) were calculated. Audiometric data were compared between affected and unaffected ears, with the interaural difference (affected-unaffected PTA) representing the change in hearing due to PT. Additionally, post-operative change was examined in 14 patients with available data. RESULTS: The average pre-operative air conduction (AC) LF-PTA was 17.04 dB on the affected side and 11.38 dB on the unaffected side (p < 0.001). The mean AC HF-PTA was significantly higher on the affected side as well (16.45 dB vs. 14.08 dB, p = 0.008). All shifts were sensorineural, with no significant air-bone gaps, and most subjects still had low-frequency thresholds in the normal range. Though the post-op change was not significant due to attrition, 5/14 patients (35.7%) had complete resolution of their pre-op interaural difference. A similar number developed a HF-PTA post-op threshold elevation in the surgical ear. CONCLUSIONS: PT due to SSWAs causes a mean 6 dB low-frequency bone-conduction threshold elevation, and smaller high-frequency threshold shifts, due to masking. Patients with larger threshold shifts should have other potential causes of hearing loss explored. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Current Device-based Clinical Treatments for Tinnitus.

Device-based clinical treatments for tinnitus are predominantly sound based and include ear-level sound generators, hearing aids, cochlear implants, and tinnitus treatment devices. They are intended for patients with bothersome tinnitus. Bothersome tinnitus is characterized by problems with sleep, concentration, and mood. Most people with bothersome tinnitus have hearing loss and would benefit from amplification; however, not all patients are willing to use hearing aids. Tinnitus treatment devices are available to assist those who are not good candidates for amplification, and include devices used while sleeping and devices used for specified periods during the day.

The Otolaryngology Match 2019: Why Was This Year Different from Every Other Year?

After 2 years with record high numbers of unfilled spots in the otolaryngology National Residency Matching Program-sponsored match, the current match cycle had no open positions available in the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program. This article analyzes the historical and present data to try to understand what happened so that we can better avoid repeating the problems of the past.

Pattern and severity of transverse sinus stenosis in patients with pulsatile tinnitus associated with sigmoid sinus wall anomalies.

OBJECTIVE: Describe the location and severity of transverse sinus stenosis (TSS) in a consecutive series of patients with intraoperatively confirmed sigmoid sinus wall abnormalities (SSWA). METHODS: A retrospective review of imaging studies from patients undergoing sinus wall reconstruction for pulsatile tinnitus associated with SSWA "was performed." Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the TSS, including the side, type, location, extent, and severity, were performed and compared with normal controls and historical controls with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). RESULTS: Twenty-six of 36 subjects had adequate imaging data. The majority of subjects had some degree of bilateral TSS, and the majority of stenoses involved the distal transverse sinus. Subjects with diverticulum were significantly more likely than those with dehiscence to have ipsilateral distal TSS (16 of 16 vs. 4 of 10, P = 0.009). The mean minimum transverse sinus diameter, stenosis severity grade, and overall posterior venous sinus outflow were significantly worse in the subjects as compared to normal controls (P = 0.002), although not as severe as the comparable values in historical controls with IIH (P < 0.003). CONCLUSION: Subjects with SSWA have a high incidence of TSS, with patterns differing between those with dehiscence and diverticulum. Severity of TSS and overall posterior fossa venous outflow are worse as compared to normal controls but not as severe as in subjects with IIH. These findings have implications for the pathophysiology and management of SSWA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 130:1028-1033, 2020.

Effect of Stimulation Rate on Speech Understanding in Older Cochlear-Implant Users.

OBJECTIVES: Cochlear implants (CIs) are considered a safe and effective intervention for more severe degrees of hearing loss in adults of all ages. Although older CI users ≥65 years of age can obtain large benefits in speech understanding from a CI, there is a growing body of literature suggesting that older CI users may not perform as well as younger CI users. One reason for this potential age-related limitation could be that default CI stimulation settings are not optimal for older CI users. The goal of this study was to determine whether improvements in speech understanding were possible when CI users were programmed with nondefault stimulation rates and to determine whether lower-than-default stimulation rates improved older CI users' speech understanding. DESIGN: Sentence recognition was measured acutely using different stimulation rates in 37 CI users ranging in age from 22 to 87 years. Maps were created using rates of 500, 720, 900, and 1200 pulses per second (pps) for each subject. An additional map using a rate higher than 1200 pps was also created for individuals who used a higher rate in their clinical processors. Thus, the clinical rate of each subject was also tested, including non-default rates above 1200 pps for Cochlear users and higher rates consistent with the manufacturer defaults for subjects implanted with Advanced Bionics and Med-El devices. Speech understanding performance was evaluated at each stimulation rate using AzBio and Perceptually Robust English Sentence Test Open-set (PRESTO) sentence materials tested in quiet and in noise. RESULTS: For Cochlear-brand users, speech understanding performance using non-default rates was slightly poorer when compared with the default rate (900 pps). However, this effect was offset somewhat by age, in which older subjects were able to maintain comparable performance using a 500-pps map compared with the default rate map when listening to the more difficult PRESTO sentence material. Advanced Bionics and Med-El users showed modest improvements in their overall performance using 720 pps compared with the default rate (>1200 pps). On the individual-subject level, 10 subjects (11 ears) showed a significant effect of stimulation rate, with 8 of those ears performing best with a lower-than-default rate. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that default stimulation rates are likely sufficient for many CI users, but some CI users at any age can benefit from a lower-than-default rate. Future work that provides experience with novel rates in everyday life has the potential to identify more individuals whose performance could be improved with changes to stimulation rate.

Evaluation and treatment of pulsatile tinnitus associated with sigmoid sinus wall anomalies.

OBJECTIVE: Describe clinical and radiographic features of sigmoid sinus wall anomalies (SSWA) associated with pulsatile tinnitus (PT) and determine factors predictive of response to surgery. METHODS: Preoperative diagnostic imaging and treatment response were reviewed after surgical repair of 40 ears among 38 consecutive patients presenting with PT associated with SSWA who underwent transtemporal sinus wall reconstruction. RESULTS: Twenty-three ears had isolated sigmoid sinus dehiscence, and 17 had diverticulum. The rates of transverse sinus stenosis (TSS) and empty sella, 66% and 32% respectively, were significantly higher than in historical controls (P = 0.02 and 0.001). Thirty-six out of 40 subjects (90%) had complete resolution of their PT following surgery, including all those with a diverticulum. For subjects with dehiscence alone without diverticulum, a favorable response to surgery was strongly associated with the presence of TSS (P = 0.01) and empty sella (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Sigmoid sinus diverticulum and dehiscence are a clinically important cause of PT. Women of childbearing age with an elevated body mass index (BMI) are commonly affected, and there is a high rate of associated TSS and empty sella. Transtemporal sinus wall reconstruction has a high rate of success in appropriately selected patients. Patients with isolated sinus wall dehiscence without diverticulum, TSS, or empty sella are less likely to respond to transtemporal sinus wall reconstruction. These data imply a multifactorial cause of PT in at least some patients with SSWA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 128:S1-S13, 2018.

Inflammatory Pseudotumor of the Temporal Bone: A Case Series.

OBJECTIVE: Inflammatory pseudotumor of the temporal bone is a benign, idiopathic inflammatory process that is locally invasive and a cause of significant morbidity. This study reviews our experience with seven patients and is currently the largest series to date. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review from January 1, 2014 to January 1, 2016. SETTING: Single tertiary medical center. PATIENTS: There were five male and two female (n = 7) subjects with a diagnosis of temporal bone inflammatory pseudotumor. The mean age at presentation was 41 years old. The most common presenting symptoms were hearing loss (7/7) and headache (4/7). Four patients demonstrated an inflammatory aural polyp. Two patients experienced facial nerve paralysis. INTERVENTION(S): Seven patients underwent computed tomography and six underwent magnetic resonance imaging. Corticosteroids and antibiotics were the initial treatment of choice. Five patients also underwent surgery. As adjuvant therapy, two patients received Rituximab, one patient received radiation, and one received mycophenolate mofetil. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Clinical courses were followed with focus on symptoms, disease recurrence, duration, and treatment. Mean follow-up was 17.8 months. RESULTS: The primary lesions demonstrated T2 hypo-intensity and enhancement as well as diffuse dural thickening on magnetic resonance imaging in five of six patients. Histopathology demonstrated chronic inflammation in the setting of hyalinized fibrosis (7/7). All the patients are currently symptomatically stable. CONCLUSION: Inflammatory pseudotumor of the temporal bone can cause devastating effects on neurological function and quality of life. Recognition of characteristic imaging and histopathology can expedite appropriate treatment. Patients may require chronic steroid therapy. Adjunctive therapy with radiation and immuno-modulation are currently being explored.

Surgical reconstruction of the ossicular chain with custom 3D printed ossicular prosthesis.

BACKGROUND: Conductive hearing loss due to ossicular abnormalities occurs from many causes, including trauma, infection, cholesteatoma, surgery and congenital anomalies. Surgical reconstruction of the ossicular chain is a well-established procedure for repair of ossicular defects, but is still plagued by high failure rates. Underlying disease and proper sizing of prostheses are two challenges that lead to component failure. Three-dimensional (3D) printing has been used successfully to solve a number of medical prosthesis problems. Custom 3D printing an individualized ossicular prosthesis would be a potential solution for the wide range of anatomic variation encountered in the pathological middle ear, and could decrease the rate of post-operative prosthesis displacement by increasing the likelihood of a proper fit, in addition to decreasing surgical time.In this study, the incus was removed from three formalin-fixed cadaveric human temporal bones with no macro- or microscopic evidence of pathology. Imaging of the cadaveric bone was obtained using a standard temporal bone CT protocol. A custom prosthesis for each cadaveric human temporal bone was designed using the Mimics Innovation Suite software (Materialise, Belgium) and fabricated on a Form2 3D printer (FormLabs, Somerville, Massachusetts). Four surgeons then performed insertion of each prosthesis into each middle ear, blinded to the bone from and for which each was designed. The surgeons were asked to match each prosthesis to its correct parent bone. RESULTS: Each prosthesis had unique measurements. Each of the four surgeons was able to correctly match the prosthesis model to its intended temporal bone. The chances of this occurring randomly are 1:1296. CONCLUSIONS: A custom 3D printed ossicular prosthesis is a viable solution for conductive hearing loss due to ossicular chain defects. Commercially available CT scanners can detect significant anatomic differences in normal human middle ear ossicles. These differences can be accurately represented with current 3D printing technology and, more significantly, surgeons can detect these differences.