Presbycusis and balance disorders in the elderly. Bibliographical review of ethiopathogenic aspects, consequences on quality of life and positive effects of its treatment.

At this time, we still do not have adequate knowledge and awareness of the consequences of hearing loss in the elderly on quality of life. Similarly, there is also insufficient information on the relationship of presbycusis and balance disorders with other comorbidities. Such knowledge can contribute to improve both prevention and treatment of these pathologies, to reduce their impact on other areas such as cognition or autonomy, as well as to have more accurate information on the economic impact they generate in society and in the health system. Therefore, with this review article we aim to update the information on the type of hearing loss and balance disorders in people over 55 years of age, and their associated factors; to analyze the impact on the quality of life of these people and the one which can be generated at a personal and population level (both sociological and economic) if an early intervention in these patients is pursued.

Clinical utility of next-generation sequencing in the aetiological diagnosis of sensorineural hearing loss in a Childhood Hearing Loss Unit. / Utilidad clínica de la secuenciación de nueva generación en el diagnóstico etiológico de la hipoacusia neurosensorial en una Unidad de Hipoacusia Infantil.

INTRODUCTION: Sensorineural hearing loss (SNL) is the most prevalent sensory deficit in our environment. Next generation genomic sequencing (NGS) enables an aetiological diagnosis in a high percentage of patients. Our pilot study shows the results of the systematic application of NGS in a Childhood Hearing Loss Unit, as well as its implications for the clinical management of patients and their families. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We included 27 patients diagnosed with SNL between 2014 and 2017, in which an environmental cause was ruled out. The genetic test consisted of a panel of genes analyzed by NGS (OTOgenicsTM panel). This panel has been designed to include genes associated with sensorineural or mixed hearing loss, early onset or late, syndromic and non-syndromic, regardless of their inheritance pattern. RESULTS: A genetic diagnosis was obtained in 56% (15/27) of the patients (62% in the case of bilateral SNL). Of the patients, 5/27 (19%) presented pathogenic variants in the GJB2 gene and the rest pathogenic and / or probably pathogenic variants in other genes associated with isolated SNL (PR2X2, TECTA and STRC), with syndromic SNL (CHD7, GATA3, COL4A5, MITF and SOX10) or with syndromic and non-syndromic SNL (BSND, ACTG1 and CDH23). DISCUSSION: The aetiological diagnosis of SNL is a challenge in clinical practice. Our series demonstrates that it is possible to implement genetic diagnosis in the care routine and that this information has prognostic and therapeutic implications.

Active middle ear implants. / Implantes activos de oído medio.

Active middle ear implants are surgically implanted prosthesis, which intend to stimulate the ossicular chain or the inner ear fluids through the oval or round windows. These implants may be useful for the treatment of certain patients with sensorineural hearing loss as well as for conductive or mixed hearing loss. This clinical guide attempts to summarize the current knowledge concerning the basic characteristics and indications of the most commonly used middle ear implants, including Vibrant Soundbrige (Med-el, Innsbruck), Carina (Cochlear, Australia), and CodacsTM. (Cochlear, Australia).

Guideline on cochlear implants. / Guía clínica sobre implantes cocleares.

INTRODUCTION: In the last decade numerous hospitals have started to work with patients who are candidates for a cochlear implant (CI) and there have been numerous and relevant advances in the treatment of sensorineural hearing loss that extended the indications for cochlear implants. OBJECTIVES: To provide a guideline on cochlear implants to specialists in otorhinolaryngology, other medical specialities, health authorities and society in general. METHODS: The Scientific Committees of Otology, Otoneurology and Audiology from the Spanish Society of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery (SEORL-CCC), in a coordinated and agreed way, performed a review of the current state of CI based on the existing regulations and in the scientific publications referenced in the bibliography of the document drafted. RESULTS: The clinical guideline on cochlear implants provides information on: a) Definition and description of Cochlear Implant; b) Indications for cochlear implants; c) Organizational requirements for a cochlear implant programme. CONCLUSIONS: A clinical guideline on cochlear implants has been developed by a Committee of Experts of the SEORL-CCC, to help and guide all the health professionals involved in this field of CI in decision-making to treathearing impairment.

[Sinonasal adenocarcinomas: our experience]. / Adenocarcinomas nasosinusales: nuestra experiencia.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Sinonasal adenocarcinoma is a rare epithelial cancer of the nasal cavities and paranasal sinuses and exposure to sawdust particles is a strong aetiological factor. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Seventy-nine patients (78 men and 1 woman) operated on between 1986 and 2002 were studied. RESULTS: In 62 patients (78.5 %) there was a history of exposure to wood dust. The clinical factors presenting statistical significance in the multivariate analysis with prognosis were: the exclusive invasion of the middle concha (as good prognosis), recurrence and invasion of the dura mater (as bad prognosis). The actuarial survival rate was 36 % at 5 years falling to 28 % at 10 years. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to wood dust, even over a short period of time, must be considered as a high risk factor for the development of a sinonasal adenocarcinoma. This tumour must be ruled out in all patients suffering any type of sinonasal pathology.

[Complications and sequelae in acoustic neuroma surgery]. / Complicaciones y secuelas en la cirugía de los neurinomas del acústico.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the complications and sequelae of acoustic neuroma surgery, according to tumour size. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A retrospective analysis of 120 patients who underwent microsurgical resection of vestibular schwannomas between November 1994 and September 2006 was undertaken. Tumour size, extent of removal, preservation of facial and cochlear nerves, complications, and sequelae were considered. The degree of hearing preservation after surgery was determined by the Gardner-Robertson classification. RESULTS: There were 39 small (<1.5 cm), 59 medium (1.5-3 cm), and 22 large tumours (>3 cm). Gross total resection was accomplished in 106 cases (88.3 %). The facial nerve was anatomically and functionally preserved in 103 cases on long-term follow-up (85.4 %). The cochlear nerve was functionally preserved (Gardner-Robertson class 1 and 2) in 54.4 % of the small tumours with useful preoperative hearing. Two patients died due to postoperative complications (mortality rate, 1.6 %), and 15 (12.5 %) developed a CSF leak. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the progress in the surgical treatment of acoustic neuromas, a considerable rate of complications and sequelae still remains. Therefore, there is a need to balance pros and cons of surgery in each patient according to the concurrent circumstances, as well as to consider other therapeutic strategies such as radiosurgery or a wait-and-see policy.

Minimally invasive treatment of the nasal inverted papilloma.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this work is to evaluate our results in the treatment of the nasal inverted papillomas with an endoscopic approach using a retrospective case series. METHODS: Between 1993 and 2000 we treated 27 patients with nasal inverted papillomas. All patients underwent endoscopic nasal surgery under general anesthesia. None of the inverted papillomas extended outside of the paranasal sinuses. All tissue samples underwent polymerase chain reaction and hybridization in situ to detect genetic sequences of the human papilloma virus and Epstein Barr virus. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 16 men and 11 women with a median age of 52 years (range, 22-77 years). Ten patients (37%) had undergone a previous nasal surgery. The median follow-up was 5 years (range, 2-8 years). None of the patients presented with bilateral nasal involvement or a synchronous carcinoma. Seven patients underwent an additional surgical approach (two endoscopic approaches via a Caldwel-Luc approach, four sublabial approaches via a Caldwel-Luc approach, and one external ethmoidectomy). There were no surgical complications. Two patients (7%) had recurrent papilloma 4 and 6 years after surgery and again underwent endoscopic resection. The amplification both by polymerase chain reaction and hybridization in situ for human papilloma virus and Epstein Barr virus were negative in the specimens from all patients. CONCLUSIONS: According to the literature and our own experience, we believe that the initial surgical management of primary and recurrent inverted papillomas limited to the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses should be endoscopic sinus surgery.