Minimally invasive subperiosteal pocket technique for Osia 2 system- implantation without fixation.

The CochlearTM Osia® 2 is an active transcutaneous implant designed to treat patients with different types of hearing loss. Due to its size, implantation needs appropriate practice since the necessity of extended flap creation and bone work can be an issue in some cases. The goal of our study was to determine whether fixation of the OSI200 implant was necessary for the performance of patients with conductive or mild mixed hearing loss.The vibroacoustic performance of the Osia 2 system, with and without BI300 fixation, was evaluated through tests conducted on a head model. In addition, three patients underwent surgery using the modified minimally invasive subperiosteal pocket technique; the OSI200 implant was placed in a tight subperiosteal pocket without fixing it with the BI300 implant. To evaluate the audiological performance of the non-fixated Osia 2 system, we compared the preoperative unaided pure tone and suprathreshold testing with the Baha 5 sound processor and the non-fixated Osia 2 system aided thresholds.Initial results indicate that omitting fixation does not significantly impair the function of the Osia 2 system. The findings of the clinical assessment support the fact that the Osia 2 system performed better than the Baha 5 system on Softband, both in pure tone and suprathreshold tests.According to our results, we have found that utilizing the subperiosteal pocket method and implanting Osia 2 without BI300 fixation may be a viable option. This approach has shown promising results in terms of improving hearing ability with minimalization of surgery related complications.

[Subcutaneous and intramuscular heterotopic calcification of the neck 42 years after radiotherapy]. / Subcutan és intramuscularis heterotop kalcifikáció a nyakon 42 évvel a sugárkezelést követoen.

Radiotherapy-induced heterotopic tissue calcification is an exceedingly rare complication in the head and neck region. We report a patient with extensive, radiotherapy-induced, combined subcutaneous and intramuscular, heterotopic calcification of the neck. An 80-year-old male presented with a 2-month history of severe dysphagia and a painful ulcer on the neck 42 years after salvage total laryngectomy following radiotherapy (total dose: 80 Gy) for a T3N0M0 glottic squamous cell carcinoma. We excluded recurrence or secondary malignancy by biopsy and performed computed tomography, which revealed subcutaneous and intramuscular calcification in the area of the skin ulcer and close to the hypopharyngeal wall, moreover, total occlusion of the common carotid and vertebral arteries bilaterally. Surgical correction involved removing the calcified lesions and closure using fasciocutaneous flap transposition. The patient has been asymptomatic for the past 48 months. Radiotherapy plays an essential role in the treatment of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Distorted postoperative anatomy, excessive scar formation, radiotherapy-induced fibrosis as well as skin and subcutaneous tissue calcification can present as atypical findings. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(10): 383-387.

A new method of preoperative assessment of correct electrode array alignment based on post-operative measurements in a cochlear implanted cohort.

PURPOSE: During cochlear implantation surgery, a range of complications may occur such as tip fold-over. We recently developed a method to estimate the insertion orientation of the electrode array. The aim of the study was to determine the optimal angle of orientation in a cohort of cochlear implanted patients. METHODS: On eighty-five CT scans (80 uncomplicated insertions and 5 cases with tip fold-over), location of the electrode array's Insertion Guide (IG), Orientation marker (OM) and two easily identifiable landmarks (the round window (RW) and the incus short process (ISP)) were manually marked. The angle enclosed by ISP-RW line and the Cochlear™ Slim Modiolar electrode array's OM line determined the electrode array insertion angle. RESULTS: The average insertion angle was 45.0-47.2° ± 10.4-12° SD and was validated with 98% confidence interval. Based on the measurements obtained, patients' sex and age had no impact on the size of this angle. Although the angles of the tip fold-over cases (44.9°, 46.9°, 34.2°, 54.3°, 55.9°) fell within this average range, the further it diverted from the average it increased the likelihood for tip fold-over. CONCLUSION: Electrode array insertion in the individually calculated angle relative to the visible incus short process provides a useful guide for the surgeon when aiming for the optimal angle, and potentially enhances good surgical outcomes. Our results show that factors other than the orientation angle may additionally contribute to failures in implantation when the Slim Modiolar electrode is used.

Pediatric morphometric study to guide the optimized implantation of the Osia® 2 implant system.

PURPOSE: Continuous technological advances result in the availability of new bone conduction hearing implants, of which their suitability for pediatric patients is of major concern. The CochlearTMOsia® 2 is a new active osseointegrated steady-state implant system that uses digital piezoelectric stimulation to treat hearing loss. The implant in the United States was approved for patients aged 12 years and above, whereas the CE mark is independent of age, the only requirement is body weight of at least 7 kg. Therefore, further clinical studies are required to assess device characteristics in younger patients. The aim of our study was to perform a morphometric study among 5-12-year-old children, and to develop a surgical protocol for Osia 2 system implantation based on these findings. METHODS: We examined retrospectively cranial CT scans of 5-12-year-old patients from our clinical database. We measured the bone and soft-tissue thickness in the region of interest, and the position of the sigmoid sinus. 3D printed temporal bones were also used for planning. RESULTS: Soft-tissue thickness varied between 3.2 ± 0.5 mm and 3.6 ± 0.6 mm and bone thickness varied between 3.5 ± 1.1 mm and 4.7 ± 0.3 mm. The sigmoid sinus was located 1.3 ± 0.2 cm posterior to the ear canal, and the anterior distance was 4.8 ± 0.9 to 7.1 ± 1.1 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Our morphometric studies showed that patients aged 5-12 have different anatomical dimensions compared to adults, but that implantation of the Osia 2 system is feasible in these patients using an altered implant positioning recommended by our data. The Cochlear™ Osia® 2 is, therefore, an option for hearing rehabilitation in younger pediatrics.

Detection of "tip fold-over" of the cochlear implant electrode array with transimpedance matrix (TIM) measurement / Az elektródasor visszatekeredésének kimutatása transzimpedanciamátrix (TIM)-vizsgálattal cochlearis implantátumban.

Összefoglaló. Bevezetés: Az elmúlt években a cochlearis implantátum a súlyos halláskárosodás vagy a teljes siketség rutinszeru és hatékony kezelési eszközévé vált. Korunk egyik leggyakrabban használt és leghatékonyabb újítása a cochlearis implantációban a perimodiolaris vékony elektródasorok alkalmazása. A cochlea középtengelyét, a modiolust szorosan ölelo atraumatikus elektródasor igen meggyozo eredménnyel bizonyítja népszeruségét, mind az elektrofiziológiai mérések során, mind az akusztikus hallás megorzése terén nyújtott teljesítményével. Ugyanakkor igen kevés publikáció írja le az elektródasor nem megfelelo helyzetének elofordulási gyakoriságát, pontosabban a visszatekeredését a csúcsi szakaszon. Célkituzés: Tanulmányunk célja olyan szoftveres technika, a transzimpedancia-mátrix (TIM) beillesztése a rutin intraoperatív elektrofiziológiai mérési metodikák közé, amely képes objektív diagnosztikai lehetoséget biztosítani ahhoz, hogy korán felismerhessük a cochlearis implantátum elektródasorán keletkezett hurkot. Módszer: Hároméves kisgyermek kétoldali cochlearis implantációját követoen, posztoperatív röntgenfelvételen a bal oldalon az elektródasor megfelelo pozíciója figyelheto meg, míg a jobb oldalon az intracochlearis elektródasor végének visszatekeredése igazolódott. Képalkotó vizsgálatot követoen elektrofiziológiai metódusként TIM-vizsgálatot végeztünk. Az eljárás során a méroeszköz a kijelölt stimuláló elektródákon 1 V nagyságrendu feszültséget közöl állandó áramerosség mellett a cochlea közel eso struktúrái felé. Méroelektródák segítségével regisztráljuk a szöveteken mérheto feszültséget, majd transzimpedancia-mátrixszá alakítjuk a mért értékeket. Eredmények: Az elektródasor visszatekeredése, amelyet korábban radiológiai vizsgálattal igazoltunk, az objektív elektrofiziológiai mérések segítségével is jól azonosítható, és a vizsgálatok szoros párhuzamot mutatnak. Következtetés: Az elektródák helyzetének megjelenítésére szolgáló standard radiológiai képalkotási technikák kiegészíthetok, illetve kiválthatók egyszeruen elvégezheto, hatékony, objektív elektrofiziológiai vizsgálatokkal. Intraoperatíven, még a sebzárás elott kimutatható, ha az elektródasor nem megfelelo helyzetbe került, így csökkenthetjük a radiológiai vizsgálatokkal járó sugárterhelés és annak finanszírozási problémáját. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(25): 988-996. INTRODUCTION: In recent years, the cochlear implant has become a routine and effective treatment tool for severe hearing loss and total deafness. One of the commonly used and effective innovations of our time in cochlear implantation is the perimodiolar thin electrode array. The atraumatic electrode array, which closely embraces the central axis of the cochlea (modiolus), has served its popularity with very convincing results, with its performance in both electrophysiological measurements and acoustic hearing preservation. However, very few publications describe the frequency of improper positioning of the electrode array, which is known as 'tip fold-over'. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study is to incorporate a software technique, the transimpedance matrix (TIM), into routine intraoperative electrophysiological measurement methodologies to provide a potential objective diagnostic opportunity for early detection of tip fold-over of the electrode array. METHOD: Following bilateral cochlear implantation of a three-year-old child, postoperative radiography showed the correct position of the electrode array on the left side, while tip fold-over of the intracochlear electrode array was detected on the right side. Following imaging, a TIM study was performed as an electrophysiological method. During the procedure, the measuring device transmits a voltage of the order of 1 V to the nearby structures of the cochlea at a constant current at the designated stimulus electrodes. Measuring electrodes were used to register the voltage measured on the tissues, and then converted into a TIM. RESULTS: Electrode tip fold-over was previously diagnosed by radiological examination, while it can also be diagnosed by objective electrophysiological measurements now, and these two tests correlate well. CONCLUSION: Standard radiological imaging techniques for electrode positioning can be supplemented or replaced by easy-to-perform, effective objective electrophysiological studies. Tip fold-over can be detected intraoperatively, even before wound closure, if the electrode array is in the wrong position, thus reducing the radiation exposure associated with radiological examinations as well as reducing relevant costs. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(25): 988-996.

A new method to determine the optimal orientation of Slim Modiolar cochlear implant electrode array insertion.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Our goal was to determine the optimal orientation of insertion of the Slim Modiolar electrode and develop an easy-to-use method to aid implantation surgery. In some instances, the electrode arrays cannot be inserted in their full length. This can lead to buckling, interscalar dislocation or tip fold-over. In our opinion, one of the possible reasons of tip fold-over is unfavourable orientation of the electrode array. Our goal was to determine the optimal orientation of the Slim Modiolar electrode array relative to clear surgical landmarks and present our method in one specified case. METHODS: For the measurement, we used the preoperative CT scan of one of our cochlear implant patients. These images were processed by an open source and free image visualization software: 3D Slicer. In the first step we marked the tip of the incus short process and then created the cochlear view. On this view we drew two straight lines: the first line represented the insertion guide of the cochlear implant and the second line was the orientation marker (winglet). We determined the angle enclosed by winglet and the line between the tip of the incus short process and the cross-section of previously created two lines. For the calculation we used a self-made python code. RESULTS: The result of our algorithm for the angle was 46.6055°. To validate this result, we segmented, from the CT scan, the auditory ossicles and the membranaceous labyrinth. From this segmentation we generated a 3D reconstruction. On the 3D view, we can see the position of the previous lines relative to the anatomical structures. After this we rotated the 3D model together with the lines so that the insertion guide forms a dot. In this view, the angle was measured with ImageJ and the result was 46.599°. CONCLUSION: We found that our method is easy, fast, and time-efficient. The surgery can be planned individually for each patient, based on their routine preoperative CT scan of the temporal bone, and the implantation procedure can be made safer. In the future we plan to use this method for all cochlear implantation surgeries, where the Slim Modiolar electrode is used.

A novel intraoperative imaging tool to follow the cochlear implant electrode array insertion dynamics / Új mutéti képalkotó lehetoség a belsofül-implantátum elektródasorának dinamikus helyzetmeghatározására.

Összefoglaló. Bevezetés: A cochlearis implantátum egy mutétileg behelyezett elektromos eszköz, amely az akusztikus hanghullámokat elektromos jelekké alakítja, közvetlenül a hallóideget stimulálja, így segíti a súlyos fokú hallássérüléssel vagy teljes hallásvesztéssel élok életét. Cochlearis implantációt követoen a legjobb rehabilitációs eredmény elérésének technikai feltétele többek között az esetre szabott elektródaválasztás és az elektródasor teljes, kontrollált, szövodménymentes bejuttatása a scala tympaniba, miközben a cochlea belso struktúrája a leheto legkisebb mértékben sérül. A rutin intraoperatív elektrofiziológiai tesztek fontos információt adnak a készülék muködoképességérol és a hallóideg stimulációjáról, azonban nem hagyatkozhatunk rájuk az elektródasor cochleán belüli helyzetének igazolásában. Mivel elofordulhat, hogy a rendelkezésre álló elektrofiziológiai vizsgálatok eredménye megfelelo, és mégis rendellenes helyzetbe kerül az elektróda, az arany standardot a képalkotó vizsgálatok jelentik. Módszer: Közleményünkben egy modern, hibrid muto által nyújtott technológiai háttér új alkalmazási területét mutatjuk be. Szimultán kétoldali cochlearis implantációt végeztünk Cochlear Nucleus Slim Modiolar típusú perimodiolaris elektródasorral, a belso fül fejlodési rendellenességével rendelkezo betegen. Az intraoperatív képalkotást Siemens Artis pheno C-karos robot digitális szubtrakciós angiográfiás rendszer biztosította valós ideju átvilágító és volumentomográfiás funkcióval. Eredmények: Az intraoperatív képalkotás által dinamikusan követheto az elektródasor bevezetésének folyamata, ellenorizheto az elektródasor statikus helyzete, így kiváltható a rutinnak számító posztoperatív képalkotó vizsgálat. A rendellenes helyzetbe kerülo elektródasor pozíciója egy ülésben korrigálható, az újból bevezetheto, így elkerülheto az újabb altatással járó, bizonytalan kimenetelu revíziós mutét. Következtetés: A hibrid muto jól kontrollált, minimálisan invazív eljárások elvégzését biztosítja. Különösen a hallószerv fejlodési rendellenessége vagy egyéb, az elektródának a cochleába vezetését nehezíto rendellenesség esetén javasolt a mutoi képalkotó diagnosztika. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(22): 878-883. INTRODUCTION: The cochlear implant is a surgically inserted electrical device that converts acoustic sound waves into electrical signals to stimulate the cochlear nerve, thus helps the rehabilitation of people with severe to total hearing loss. One of the most important technical conditions for achieving the best rehabilitation result after cochlear implantation is the personalized choice of electrodes. Additionally, it is vital that there is a complete, controlled, uncomplicated delivery of the electrode array to the scala tympani while minimizing damage to the inner structures of the cochlea. Routine electrophysiological tests provide important information about device functionality and auditory nerve stimulation. However, they probably do not show an abnormal position of the electrode array within the cochlea. Thus, imaging studies remain the gold standard. METHOD: In our paper, we present a novel application field of the modern technological background provided by a hybrid operating room. Simultaneous bilateral cochlear implantation was performed with cochlear implants with perimodiolar electrode array (Nucleus Slim Modiolar) in a patient with cochlear malformation. Intraoperative imaging was provided by a Siemens Artis pheno C-arm robot digital subtraction angiography system with real-time fluoroscopy and volume tomography function. RESULTS: Intraoperative imaging ensures dynamic follow-up of the introduction and static determination of the position of the electrode array and replaces routine postoperative imaging. If the electrode array was inserted in an abnormal position, the revision can be performed in the same sitting. Also, the revision surgery with a potential risk of uncertain outcome, alongside additional anaesthesia, can be prevented. CONCLUSION: The hybrid operating room ensures that well-controlled, minimally invasive procedures are performed. Intraoperative imaging can be imperative in malformed cochleae and conditions that may complicate electrode insertion. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(22): 878-883.

Application field of VOXEL-MAN Tempo 3D virtual reality simulator in surgery of pars petrosa of temporal bone / A VOXEL-MAN Tempo 3D virtuálisvalóság-szimulátor alkalmazása a sziklacsont sebészetében.

Összefoglaló. Bevezetés: Az emberi sziklacsont a halántékcsont része, egy bonyolult és változatos anatómiai felépítésu struktúra. A sziklacsonton végzett beavatkozások elott, a mutéti szövodmények megelozése érdekében, nélkülözhetetlen a biztos anatómiai tudás és kézügyesség megszerzése, valamint az egyes mutéti lépések és mozdulatok begyakorlása. A VOXEL-MAN Tempo 3D fül-orr-gégészeti szimulátor a virtuális valóság és a robotika alkalmazásával nyújt gyakorlási lehetoséget. Célkituzés: A Szegedi Tudományegyetem 2019-ben VOXEL-MAN fül-orr-gégészeti szimulátort helyezett üzembe az Orvosi Készségfejlesztési Központban. A cikk fül-orr-gégész szakorvos szerzoi a VOXEL-MAN Tempo szimulátor megismerését követoen bemutatják a készüléket, és megfogalmazzák a szimulátorral végzett beavatkozásokkal szemben támasztott igényüket. Módszer: A szerzok a megfogalmazott szempontoknak megfeleloen értékelik a VOXEL-MAN Tempo szimulátort, és meghatározzák, milyen szerepet szánnak neki a gyakorlati képzésben. Eredmények: A szimulátor virtuálisan, mégis valósághuen mutatja meg a sziklacsont anatómiai viszonyait, a fontos anatómiai struktúrák valós térbeli elhelyezkedését és egymástól, illetve a sebészi eszköztol mért távolságát. A rendszer lehetové teszi a fülmutétek valósághu elvégzését (kétkezes csontmunka fúróval és szívóval, vérzés szimulálása) taktilis visszacsatolással. Az egy- vagy kétkezes feladatokkal fejleszthetjük a sebészi készségeket. A fülmutétek csontmunkája reprodukálható módon elvégezheto valódi beteg halántékcsontjáról készített rutin, nagy felbontású komputertomográfiás vizsgálat anyagából. Következtetés: Tapasztalataink alapján a szimulátor kiválóan alkalmas az egyes mutéti lépesek begyakorlására. A jövoben fontos szerepet szánunk a virtuális rendszernek a fül-orr-gégészeti graduális és a fülsebészeti posztgraduális képzésben. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(16): 623-628. INTRODUCTION: The pars petrosa of the human temporal bone is a structure of complex and diverse anatomy. Prior to surgical interventions, in order to prevent surgical complications, it is essential to acquire sound anatomical knowledge and dexterity as well as to practice each surgical step and movement. The VOXEL-MAN Tempo 3D simulator uses virtual reality and robotics to provide an opportunity to practice. OBJECTIVE: In 2019, the University of Szeged installed a VOXEL-MAN Virtual Reality simulator at the Medical Skills Development Center. After learning about the VOXEL-MAN Tempo simulator, the authors present the device and articulate their need for interventions with the simulator. METHOD: The VOXEL-MAN Tempo simulator is evaluated according to the formulated criteria and the role assigned to it in the practical training is determined. RESULTS: The simulator shows the anatomical structure of the temporal bone virtually, yet realistically, the real spatial location of the important anatomical structures and their distance from each other and from the surgical instrument. The system allows ear surgery to be performed realistically (two-handed bone work with a drill and suction) with tactile (vibration) and visual (bleeding) feedback. One can improve surgical skills with one- or two-handed tasks. Bone work in ear surgeries can be performed in a reproducible manner from routine, high-resolution computer tomography of the temporal bone of a real patient. CONCLUSION: With reference to our experience, the simulator is excellent for practicing each surgical step. In the future, we intend to use this virtual system in undergraduate and postgraduate training in otolaryngology. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(16): 623-628.

The Listening Network and Cochlear Implant Benefits in Hearing-Impaired Adults.

Older adults with mild or no hearing loss make more errors and expend more effort listening to speech. Cochlear implants (CI) restore hearing to deaf patients but with limited fidelity. We hypothesized that patient-reported hearing and health-related quality of life in CI patients may similarly vary according to age. Speech Spatial Qualities (SSQ) of hearing scale and Health Utilities Index Mark III (HUI) questionnaires were administered to 543 unilaterally implanted adults across Europe, South Africa, and South America. Data were acquired before surgery and at 1, 2, and 3 years post-surgery. Data were analyzed using linear mixed models with visit, age group (18-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, and 65+), and side of implant as main factors and adjusted for other covariates. Tinnitus and dizziness prevalence did not vary with age, but older groups had more preoperative hearing. Preoperatively and postoperatively, SSQ scores were significantly higher (Δ0.75-0.82) for those aged <45 compared with those 55+. However, gains in SSQ scores were equivalent across age groups, although postoperative SSQ scores were higher in right-ear implanted subjects. All age groups benefited equally in terms of HUI gain (0.18), with no decrease in scores with age. Overall, younger adults appeared to cope better with a degraded hearing before and after CI, leading to better subjective hearing performance.

[Dimensions of the human temporal bone that are relevant to cochlear implantation surgery in infants and toddlers. A clinical-radiological study]. / Az emberi halántékcsontnak a csecsemo- és kisgyermekkori cochlearis implantáció szempontjából kiemelkedoen fontos dimenziói. Klinikoradiológiai vizsgálat.

Introduction: Early cochlear implantation enables prelingual deaf individuals to become full members of the hearing society. Although early diagnostics are widely accessible and enable early rehabilitation, implant surgery often may be delayed due to a candidate's young age. Aim: The authors' objectives were to determine the anatomical parameters of the pediatric and adult temporal bone that are relevant to cochlear implantation and to ascertain the differences between them in order to assess whether the anatomical differences could influence the surgical technique and the timing of surgery. Method: Along with a survey of the literature, findings from the authors own cochlear implantees were assessed with respect to the most relevant dimensions of the internal electronic package, including the stimulating electrode of the cochlear implant, by measuring the squama of the temporal bone, the mastoid cavity and the facial recess on high resolution computed tomographic images. Results: The skull and the overlying soft tissues proved to be thinner and the mastoid cavity was less developed in children than in adults, while no significant changes were noted in the size of the facial recess. Conclusions: It is recommended to choose modern, thin implants that do not require sinking the implant package into a bone bed. Less bone work in infants and children enables excellent visualization of the round window through the underdeveloped mastoid cavity, which makes the procedure less time-consuming and minimally invasive. Indeed, a young age should alert ear surgeons to be cautious, but no higher risk of injury to important structures is predicted for young subjects than those that might occur in adults. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(24): 936-943.

[Possibilities for residual hearing preservation with Nucleus CI532 Slim Modiolar electrode array. Case report]. / A maradványhallás megorzésének lehetoségei cochlearis implantáció során Nucleus CI532 Slim Modiolar elektródasorral.

During the rehabilitation of hearing-impaired patients, the preservation of residual acoustic hearing following cochlear implantation by minimizing the implantation trauma allows for improved hearing performance. To achieve this, minimally invasive, soft surgery methods and thinner, atraumatic electrodes were required. In our present study, we reported a case where Cochlear® Nucleus CI532 Slim Modiolar electrode was implanted in a patient with residual hearing. Our aim was to study the possible preservation of postoperative acoustic residual hearing by audiological monitoring. Since childhood, due to her congenital hearing loss, she has been wearing a conventional, airborne hearing correction device on both ears. Six months before cochlear implantation, we measured the progression on both sides of the hearing loss, so we decided to perform cochlear implantation. The patient had residual hearing on both ears prior to surgery thus the Cochlear® Nucleus CI532 Slim Modiolar Implant was used. The minimally invasive surgery was performed on the patient's right ear through the round window approach. Compared to the preoperative hearing threshold (average 85 dBHL) in the 4th postoperative week, an initial hearing threshold progression of 20-25 dBHL was observed between 0.25 and 1.0 kHz, while of 5-10 dBHL between 2.0-4.0 kHz. Hearing threshold measured in the 6th month showed a slight progression in the range above 1 kHz, but improved by the 12th month, to the results achieved at the 4th week. The effects of cochlear implantation on residual hearing have been studied in numerous studies, in which several key surgical and technical factors have been identified. Nucleus CI532 is a Slim Modiolar electrode profile that is close to the modiolus, so it is expected to have a lower endocochlear hydrodynamic load since it lies in the covering of the osseus spiral lamina, thus less influencing the dynamics of the basilar membrane. However, the perimodiolar location of the electrode array allows the adjacent nerve elements of the spiral ganglion to be stimulated with a lower electrical intensity and a reduced surface that may be neuroprotective. Preservation of acoustic residual hearing following cochlear implantation improves the patient's speech perception and the sound localization skills, particularly in difficult circumstances. Long-term residual hearing preservation may also be of great importance in the subsequent feasibility for regenerative procedures and drug treatments. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(41): 1680-1688.

Vascular mapping of the retroauricular skin - proposal for a posterior superior surgical incision for transcutaneous bone-conduction hearing implants.

BACKGROUND: Passive transcutaneous osseointegrated hearing implant systems have become increasingly popular more recently. The area over the implant is vulnerable due to vibration and pressure from the externally worn sound processor. Good perfusion and neural integrity has the potential to reduce complications. The authors' objective was to determine the ideal surgical exposure to maintain perfusion and neural integrity and decrease surgical time as a result of reduced bleeding. METHODS: The vascular anatomy of the temporal-parietal soft tissue was examined in a total of 50 subjects. Imaging diagnostics included magnetic resonance angiography in 12 and Doppler ultrasound in 25 healthy subjects to reveal the arterial network. Cadaver dissection of 13 subjects formed the control group. The prevalence of the arteries were statistically analyzed with sector analysis in the surgically relevant area. RESULTS: The main arterial branches of this region could be well identified with each method. Statistical analysis showed that the arterial pattern was similar in all subjects. The prevalence of major arteries is low in the upper posterior area though large in proximity to the auricle region. CONCLUSIONS: Diverse methods indicate the advantages of a posterior superior incision because the major arteries and nerves are at less risk of damage and best preserved. Although injury to these structures is rare, when it occurs, the distal flow is compromised and the peri-implant area is left intact. Hand-held Doppler is efficient and cost-effective in finding the best position for incision, if necessary, in subjects with a history of surgical stress to the retroauricular skin. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This was a non-interventional study.

Rhinophototherapy in persistent allergic rhinitis.

Previous published results have revealed that Rhinolight® intranasal phototherapy is safe and effective in intermittent allergic rhinitis. The present objective was to assess whether phototherapy is also safe and effective in persistent allergic rhinitis. Thirty-four patients with persistent allergic rhinitis were randomized into two groups; twenty-five subjects completed the study. The Rhinolight® group was treated with a combination of UV-B, UV-A, and high-intensity visible light, while the placebo group received low-intensity visible white light intranasal phototherapy on a total of 13 occasions in 6 weeks. The assessment was based on the diary of symptoms, nasal inspiratory peak flow, quantitative smell threshold, mucociliary transport function, and ICAM-1 expression of the epithelial cells. All nasal symptom scores and nasal inspiratory peak flow measurements improved significantly in the Rhinolight® group relative to the placebo group and this finding persisted after 4 weeks of follow-up. The smell and mucociliary functions did not change significantly in either group. The number of ICAM-1 positive cells decreased non-significantly in the Rhinolight® group. No severe side-effects were reported during the treatment period. These results suggest that Rhinolight® treatment is safe and effective in persistent allergic rhinitis.

Automated liver lesion detection in CT images based on multi-level geometric features.

PURPOSE: Due to the increasing number of liver cancer cases in clinical practice, there is a significant need for efficient tools for computer-assisted liver lesion analysis. A wide range of clinical applications, such as lesion characterization, quantification and follow-up, can be facilitated by automated liver lesion detection. Liver lesions vary significantly in size, shape, density and heterogeneity, which make them difficult to detect automatically. The goal of this work was to develop a method that can detect all types of liver lesions with high sensitivity and low false positive rate within a short run time. METHODS: The proposed method identifies abnormal regions in liver CT images based on their intensity using a multi-level segmentation approach. The abnormal regions are analyzed from the inside-out using basic geometric features (such as asymmetry, compactness or volume). Using this multi-level shape characterization, the abnormal regions are classified into lesions and other region types (including vessel, liver boundary). The proposed analysis also allows defining the contour of each finding. The method was trained on a set of 55 cases involving 120 lesions and evaluated on a set of 30 images involving 59 (various types of) lesions, which were manually contoured by a physician. RESULTS: The proposed algorithm demonstrated a high detection rate (92 %) at a low (1.7) false positive per case (precision 51 %), when the method was started from a manually contoured liver. The same level of false positive per case (1.6) and precision (51 %) was achieved at a somewhat lower detection rate (85 %), when the volume of interest was defined by a fully automated liver segmentation. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed method can efficiently detect liver lesions irrespective of their size, shape, density and heterogeneity within half a minute. According to the evaluation, its accuracy is competitive with the actual state-of-the-art approaches, and the contour of the detected findings is acceptable in most of the cases. Future work shall focus on more precise lesion contouring so that the proposed method can be a solid basis for fully automated liver tumour burden estimation.

Intranasal PUVA phototherapy in nasal polyposis--a pilot study.

Nasal polyposis (NP) affects 4% of the general population, representing a major health problem. In spite of complex (surgical and medical) treatment, the relapse rate is high and it has a negative impact on the quality of life. Recently we found that intranasal photochemotherapy with ultraviolet A light (PUVA) is effective in allergic rhinitis. In the present study PUVA was administered for 6 weeks in 7 patients with NP. Nasal lavages were performed in all patients before and at the end of the treatment; from four patients a biopsy specimen was also collected. Eosinophils significantly decreased in patients with NP and slightly in a patient who had associated aspirin sensitivity. IL-5 and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels showed a decreasing trend in patients with NP and an increasing trend in patients with associated aspirin sensitivity. Our results suggest that intranasal PUVA might represent a future therapeutic method in a subset of patients with NP.