Practical Approach to the Tele-Neuro-Ophthalmology and Neuro-Otology Visits: Instructional Videos.

ABSTRACT: A collection of instructional videos that illustrate a step by step approach to tele-neuro-ophthalmology and neuro-otology visits. These videos provide instruction for patient preparation for their video visit, patient and provider interface with an electronic medical record associated video platform, digital applications to assist with vision testing, and practical advice for detailed remote neuro-ophthalmologic and neuro-otologic examinations.

American Neurotology Society, American Otological Society, and American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Foundation Guide to Enhance Otologic and Neurotologic Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

: This combined American Neurotology Society, American Otological Society, and American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Foundation document aims to provide guidance during the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) on 1) "priority" of care for otologic and neurotologic patients in the office and operating room, and 2) optimal utilization of personal protective equipment. Given the paucity of evidence to inform otologic and neurotologic best practices during COVID-19, the recommendations herein are based on relevant peer-reviewed articles, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 guidelines, United States and international hospital policies, and expert opinion. The suggestions presented here are not meant to be definitive, and best practices will undoubtedly change with increasing knowledge and high-quality data related to COVID-19. Interpretation of this guidance document is dependent on local factors including prevalence of COVID-19 in the surgeons' local community. This is not intended to set a standard of care, and should not supersede the clinician's best judgement when managing specific clinical concerns and/or regional conditions.Access to otologic and neurotologic care during and after the COVID-19 pandemic is dependent upon adequate protection of physicians, audiologists, and ancillary support staff. Otolaryngologists and associated staff are at high risk for COVID-19 disease transmission based on close contact with mucosal surfaces of the upper aerodigestive tract during diagnostic evaluation and therapeutic procedures. While many otologic and neurotologic conditions are not imminently life threatening, they have a major impact on communication, daily functioning, and quality of life. In addition, progression of disease and delay in treatment can result in cranial nerve deficits, intracranial and life-threatening complications, and/or irreversible consequences. In this regard, many otologic and neurotologic conditions should rightfully be considered "urgent," and almost all require timely attention to permit optimal outcomes. It is reasonable to proceed with otologic and neurotologic clinic visits and operative cases based on input from expert opinion of otologic care providers, clinic/hospital administration, infection prevention and control specialists, and local and state public health leaders. Significant regional variations in COVID-19 prevalence exist; therefore, physicians working with local municipalities are best suited to make determinations on the appropriateness and timing of otologic and neurotologic care.

Short-Term Hearing Prognosis of Ossiculoplasty in Pars Flaccida Cholesteatoma Using the EAONO/JOS Staging System.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic factors for short-term hearing outcomes of ossiculoplasty for primary pars flaccida cholesteatoma according to the European Academy of Otology and Neurotology/Japanese Otological Society (EAONO/JOS) and 2015 JOS staging systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 34 patients with primary pars flaccida cholesteatoma who underwent one-stage tympanomastoidectomy with partial ossicular reconstruction using double cartilage block were included in the study. The postoperative pure-tone average air-bone gap (PTA-ABG) was calculated, and two criteria of successful hearing outcomes were defined as ≤10 and ≤20 dB. Patients were classified according to the EAONO/JOS and 2015 JOS staging systems. Cochran-Armitage test was used to statistically analyze staging, and Fisher's exact test was used to analyze other factors. RESULTS: Successful hearing outcome with postoperative PTA-ABG ≤10 and ≤20 dB occurred in 23.5% and 55.9% of cases, respectively. When postoperative PTA-ABG ≤20 dB was defined as successful, the success rate significantly decreased with increase in EAONO/JOS stage, and S0 pathological status of the stapes (no involvement) was a significantly favorable predictive factor. When postoperative PTA-ABG ≤10 dB was regarded as successful, the significantly favorable predictive factors were S0 pathological status of the stapes and development of mastoid cells with MC2-3 (better developed cells). CONCLUSION: Favorable prognostic factors for hearing outcomes of tympanomastoidectomy with partial ossicular reconstruction for primary pars flaccida cholesteatoma were low stage following the EAONO/JOS staging system and no stapes involvement and better development of mastoid cells following the 2015 JOS staging system.

European Position Statement on Diagnosis, and Treatment of Meniere's Disease.

Meniere Disease keeps challenges in its diagnosis and treatment since was defined by Prosper Meniere at the beginning of 19th Century. Several classifications and definition were made until now and speculations still exist on its etiology. As the etiology remains speculative the treatment models remain in discussion also. The European Academy of Otology and Neurotology Vertigo Guidelines Study Group intended to work on the diagnosis and treatment of Meniere's disease and created the European Positional Statement Document also by resuming the consensus studies on it. The new techniques on diagnosis are emphasized as well as the treatment models for each stage of the disease are clarified by disregarding the dilemmas on its treatment. The conservative, noninvasive and invasive therapeutic models are highlighted.

EAONO position statement on Vestibular Schwannoma: Imaging Assessment Question: How should growth of Vestibular Schwannoma be defined?

The relevance of defining the growth of vestibular schwannoma (VS) is that any significant VS growth may impact treatment strategy. A conservative treatment strategy is often proposed as a primary treatment option in the management of VS. Several authors have demonstrated that a significant proportion of VSs do not grow, and those that do, usually grow slowly. Surgical and/or radiosurgical treatment options may be offered to the patient according to the VS growth. Therefore, defining the VS growth is a determinant in managing treatment strategies. A comprehensive literature search was performed to examine the definition of tumor growth for VS. The literature review was conducted using PubMed and Embase databases dated back to 20 years (1995-2015) and was updated until February 2015. VS growth should be measured on contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images. Although there the overall quality of the present studies is low, all highlight a significant VS growth of > 2 mm, and/or 1.2 cm3, and/or 20% change in volume, and/or the square of the product of the 2 orthogonal diameters. We suggest that VS growth should instead change management strategies when a 3-mm increase in diameter on two consecutive MRI scans are performed 1 year apart.

[Neurotology and cochlear implants]. / Neurotologia e implantacion coclear.

In this review we analyse cochlear implantation in terms of the fundamental aspects of the functioning of the auditory system. Concepts concerning neuronal plasticity applied to electrical stimulation in perinatal and adult deep hypoacusis are reviewed, and the latest scientific bases that justify early implantation following screening for congenital deafness are discussed. Finally, this review aims to serve as an example of the importance of fostering the sub-specialty of neurotology in our milieu, with the aim of bridging some of the gaps between specialties and thus improving both the knowledge in the field of research on auditory pathologies and in the screening of patients. The objectives of this review, targeted above all towards specialists in the field of otorhinolaryngology, are to analyse some significant neurological foundations in order to reach a better understanding of the clinical events that condition the indications and the rehabilitation of patients with cochlear implants, as well as to use this means to foster the growth of the sub-specialty of neurotology.

TITLE: Neurotologia e implantacion coclear.En esta revision se analiza la implantacion coclear en relacion con los fundamentos del funcionamiento del sistema auditivo. Se revisan los conceptos sobre plasticidad neuronal aplicados a la estimulacion electrica en la hipoacusia profunda perinatal y del adulto, y se comentan las bases cientificas actuales que justifican la implantacion precoz tras el cribado de la sordera congenita. Finalmente, se propone esta revision como un ejemplo de la importancia de fomentar la subespecialidad de neurotologia en nuestro medio, a fin de tender puentes entre especialidades que mejoren tanto el conocimiento en el campo de la investigacion de la patologia auditiva como en el cuidado de los pacientes. Los objetivos de esta revision, dirigida sobre todo a especialistas del campo de la otorrinolaringologia, son los de analizar algunos fundamentos neurologicos de relevancia para comprender mejor los eventos clinicos que condicionan las indicaciones y la rehabilitacion de los pacientes con implantes cocleares, asi como estimular por este medio la potenciacion de la subespecialidad en neurotologia.