Temporal bone CT-based anatomical parameters associated with the development of cholesteatoma.

BACKGROUND: Cholesteatoma is caused by disorders of the middle ear ventilation that trigger a progressive series of events responsible for its formation. The aim of this study was to identify possible radiological CT-derived parameters predisposing to ventilation disorders and cholesteatoma. METHODS: In this retrospective study, patients diagnosed with cholesteatomatous chronic otitis media who underwent temporal bone CT and open tympanoplasty surgery have been included, as well as control patients with clinical examination negative for organic otological pathology who underwent temporal bone CT for other reasons. For each patient, the following parameters have been extracted from CT volumes: degree of mastoid pneumatization, prominence of the cog, patency of the Eustachian tube, antrum width, aditus width, anterior and posterior epitympanic widths, and epitympanic height. RESULTS: Sixty patients have been included, thirty of whom belonged to the group of patients with cholesteatoma and the remaining part to the group of patients without organic otological pathology. The prevalence of a low degree of mastoid pneumatization was significantly higher among patients with cholesteatoma, as well as for the prevalence of cog prominence (p < 0.001). All the continuous variables were found to have statistical significance (p < 0.05) in the comparison between groups except for the width of the antrum. CONCLUSION: Mastoid pneumatization degree, prominence of the cog and epitympanic measures based on temporal bone CT could be good radiological correlates of the ventilatory capabilities of the epitympanum which, if compromised, can facilitate the development of cholesteatoma.

The role of endogenous Antisecretory Factor (AF) in the treatment of Ménière's Disease: A two-year follow-up study. Preliminary results.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of increased endogenous Antisecretory Factor (AF) synthesis using specially processed cereals (SPC) in a sample of patients with defined unilateral Meniere's disease (MD), compared to the results of a treatment protocol of intravenous glycerol and dexamethasone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-six patients with unilateral MD were divided in 2 groups and treated with SPC and with intravenous glycerol and dexamethasone for 24 months. Audio-vestibular evaluation was performed before (T0) and every six months. The number of vertigo spells were evaluated before and after therapy and the Efficacy Index (EI) was calculated. Questionnaires for hearing loss, tinnitus and quality of life were administered. RESULTS: EI decreased in the SPC group after 18 (T18) (p = .0017) and 24 (T24) months of therapy (p = .0111). There was a significant reduction for tinnitus score in the SPC group at T24 (p = .0131). No significant differences were found between the two groups at T0 (p = .4723), while a significant difference was found at T24 (p = .0027). Quality of life showed a significant improvement in daily activities in the SPC group (p = .0033) compared to the infusion therapy group. No statistically significant changes in PTA thresholds were found in both groups between T0 and T24. CONCLUSION: The preliminary results of our study show a significant reduction of vertigo spells and a positive effect on tinnitus severity and on quality of life in patients with unilateral MD treated with SPC and when compared to patients treated with intravenous glycerol and dexamethasone. No effects on hearing thresholds were noted in both groups.

Food-induced stimulation of the antisecretory factor to improve symptoms in Meniere's disease: our results.

PURPOSE: Specially processed cereals (SPC) that increase endogenous antisecretory factor (AF) synthesis have been proposed to improve symptoms of Meniere's disease (MD) with controversial results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of SPC in patients with definite unilateral MD and compare the results to a treatment protocol with intravenous glycerol and dexamethasone. METHODS: Thirteen patients with unilateral MD were treated with SPC and 13 patients were treated with intravenous glycerol and dexamethasone for 12 months. Audio-vestibular evaluation was performed before (T0) and at the end of the treatments (T12). The number of vertigo spells were evaluated before and after therapy and the Efficacy Index (EI) was calculated. Questionnaires for hearing loss (HHIA), tinnitus (THI) and quality of life (TFL) were administered. RESULTS: EI decreased in the SPC group in the second semester compared to the first although not significantly (p = 0.6323). There was a significant reduction for THI score in the SPC group at T12 (p = 0.0325). No significant differences were found between the two groups at T0 (p = 0.4723), while a significant difference was found at T12 (p = 0.0041). Quality of life showed an improvement in daily activities in the SPC group compared to infusion therapy group. CONCLUSION: Our study shows a reduced number of vertigo attacks and a positive effect on the discomfort generated by tinnitus and quality of life in patients with unilateral MD treated with SPC and when compared to patients treated with intravenous glycerol and dexamethasone. No effects on hearing thresholds were noted in both groups.

Endolymphatic hydrops in idiopathic intracranial hypertension: prevalence and clinical outcome after lumbar puncture. Preliminary data.

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is characterized by raised intracranial pressure (ICP) without any underlying pathology, presenting with (IIH) or without papilledema (IIHWOP). Headache, often on daily basis, is the most frequent symptom. Among audiovestibular symptoms, tinnitus and dizziness are commonly reported, while vertigo and hearing impairment are infrequent reports. Endolymphatic hydrops (ELH) is the typical histopathologic feature of Ménière disease, a condition featured by episodes of vertigo, dizziness, fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus, and aural fullness. Evidences suggest that ICP is transmitted to inner ear. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of ELH symptoms in IIH/IIHWOP and the relationship between the raised ICP and ELH. The prevalence of chronic headache and of ELH symptoms was investigated in a consecutive series of IIH/IIHWOP patients, and a standard audiometry with hearing threshold measurement (pure-tone average-PTA) was performed. Differences in chronic headache and ELH symptoms prevalence and changes of PTA threshold were calculated after ICP normalization by lumbar puncture (LP). Thirty-one patients (17 with IIH and 14 with IIHWOP) were included. Before LP, chronic headache was present in 93.5%. The percentages of patients reporting tinnitus, dizziness, vertigo, and aural fullness were 67.7, 77.4, 22.6, and 61.3%, respectively. Headache frequency as well as ELH symptoms and PTA significantly improved after LP. The improvement of PTA and of ELH symptoms observed after LP in this series of IIH/IIHWOP patients indicates that a raised ICP, a condition known to be involved in the progression and refractoriness of migraine pain, has also a role in ELH. We propose that intracranial hypertension may represent the shared pathogenetic step explaining the large epidemiological comorbidity between migraine and vestibular symptoms, at present conceptualized as "vestibular migraine."

Diffusion-weighted intensity magnetic resonance in the preoperative diagnosis of cholesteatoma.

We have analyzed the preoperative diagnosis of cholesteatoma through the use of diffusion-weighted intensity magnetic resonance (DWI-MR) in 16 consecutive patients suffering from chronic otitis media with clinical and radiological (by computed tomography) suspicion of cholesteatoma. In particular, we compared the radiological data with intraoperative ones, verifying the correspondence (in terms of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy) between what is reported by DWI-MR and what is actually detectable at the time of surgery. Furthermore, we identified the most reliable DWI-MR sequence [single-shot (SSh) echo planar imaging (EPI) vs. multi-shot turbo spin-echo not-EPI] to detect cholesteatoma and reduce the time for examination. The obtained data on computed tomography scans revealed low diagnostic accuracy (56%); DWI-MR, instead, showed higher values, especially using not-EPI sequences (93.75 vs. 68.75% obtained by SSh-EPI sequences).

Transoral Approach to Parapharyngeal Space Tumours: Preliminary Reports from a Single-Centre Retrospective Analysis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to identify certain parapharyngeal space tumours with specific characteristics that can be treated successfully through an endoscopically assisted transoral approach (EATA). METHODS: Nine patients with PPS tumours underwent surgery through an EATA between 2003 and 2021. All patients underwent clinical examination and fibrolaryngoscopy. Preoperative CT and/or MRI was performed on all patients. RESULTS: All the patients were successfully treated through an endoscopically assisted transoral approach. Histological examination revealed five pleomorphic adenomas, two schwannomas, one ectopic thyroid gland and one lipoma. The only long-term sequelae observed was Horner syndrome in the two schwannomas arising from the carotid space. The mean hospitalisation time was 2.6 days, while the mean follow-up time was of 9.7 years. CONCLUSIONS: An endoscopically assisted transoral approach (EATA) is a valid technique for treating benign capsulated tumours of the true PPS and some benign capsulated tumours of the superomedial aspect of the carotid space.

Hearing impairment in Parkinson's disease: expanding the nonmotor phenotype.

The objective of this study was to evaluate hearing impairment in patients affected by Parkinson's disease compared with hearing scores observed in normal age- and sex-matched controls. One hundred eighteen consecutive patients with a clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease were screened. Severity of motor symptoms and staging were measured with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (section III) and the Hoehn and Yahr scale. Audiometric evaluation consisted of a comprehensive audiologic case history and questionnaire, visual otoscopic examination, acoustic immittance measures (tympanogram and acoustic reflexes), pure tone audiometry, and measurement of brain stem auditory-evoked potentials. Healthy age- and sex-matched subjects were selected as the control group. One hundred six of 118 patients were enrolled. Pure tone audiometry revealed age-dependent high-frequency hearing loss in patients with Parkinson's disease compared with both normative values and values for healthy age- and sex-matched controls (75/106 [71%], χ(2) = 5.959, P = .02; 92/106 [86.8%] vs 60/106 [56.6%], χ(2) = 23.804, P < .001, respectively). Pure tone audiometry scores correlated with Hoehn and Yahr scale scores (P < .05). Brain stem auditory-evoked potentials were normal in all patients. Our patients with Parkinson's disease showed age-dependent peripheral, unilateral, or bilateral hearing impairment. Whether these auditory deficits are intrinsic to Parkinson's disease or secondary to a more complex impaired processing of sensorial inputs occurring over the course of illness remains to be determined. Because α-synuclein is located predominately in the efferent neuronal system within the inner ear, it could affect susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss or presbycusis. It is feasible that the natural aging process combined with neurodegenerative changes intrinsic to Parkinson's disease might interfere with cochlear transduction mechanisms, thus anticipating presbycusis.

Stapedotomy: functional results with different diameter prostheses.

Developments in surgical technique and, more importantly, the use of increasingly sophisticated biocompatible prostheses have meant that good results can be achieved for otosclerosis sufferers in terms of restored hearing and very little postsurgical discomfort. We set out to assess whether the diameter of the prostheses used for stapedotomy (platinum piston/polytetrafluoroethylene, i.e. Teflon) has any effect on surgical outcome. Two groups of otosclerotic patients were selected, and these underwent stapedotomy surgery during the second phase of the disease. A piston-Teflon type prosthesis was used, 5.50 mm in terms of length but of different diameters (group A: 0.4 mm; group B: 0.6 mm). All the patients underwent the same pure-tone audiometry test before surgery, and then at 1 week and 1 month after surgery, to assess function. We compared air conduction after surgery with bone conduction before surgery. The data collected was analysed using the χ(2) (p < 0.05) test. This analysis showed that the results obtained with a 0.4-mm prosthesis or a 0.6-mm prosthesis are almost identical. There was no statistically significant difference in terms of hearing results when comparing either average tonal threshold or when analysing audiometric data frequency by frequency. It can be concluded, therefore, that in stapedotomy surgery, functional recovery is not affected by the diameter of the prosthesis used. A smaller diameter prosthesis is, however, the one of choice when the facial nerve is prominent or the oval window particularly narrow.

Quality of Life Assessment of Chronic Otitis Media Patients Following Surgery.

Chronic otitis media (COM) is a persistent inflammation of the middle ear. COM often requires surgical management and represents one of the most disabling pathologies in the field of otolaryngology, not only due to hearing loss but also because recurrent otorrhea seriously affects the quality of life (QoL) of patients. The COMOT-15 questionnaire is a reliable, valid and sensitive tool for measuring the QoL of patients with COM. The aim of this study was to evaluate QoL by using the Italian version of the COMOT-15 in COM patients undergoing surgery based on age and different operation techniques. This observational retrospective study involved fifty-two consecutive patients undergoing surgical treatment for COM according to Nadol criteria. Preoperatively (T0) and 12 months after surgery (T1) patients underwent clinical examination, imaging, the Italian version of the COMOT-15 and pure tone audiometry. After surgery, we observed an improvement of QoL in 84.6% of the population. The COMOT-15 overall score, ear symptoms and hearing subscores showed significantly better ratings after surgery in the whole analyzed group. However, the separate analysis of patients operated with open techniques and closed techniques showed a significant improvement in ear symptoms subscore in both groups and a significant improvement in hearing subscore and mental health subscore only in patients operated on with closed techniques. Moreover, we observed a positive correlation between age and Δ-COMOT. This study shows the crucial role of a reliable and suitable questionnaire such as the COMOT-15 in evaluating COM patients, including clinical symptoms, functional and psychological impairments and highlighting a positive correlation between age and COMOT-15 results.

Endotyping of Cholesteatoma: Which Molecular Biomarkers? A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: So far, no medical treatment is available for cholesteatoma (C) and the only effective therapy is complete surgical removal, but recurrence is common even after surgical treatment. While C is classically divided into two clinical phenotypes, congenital and acquired, only a few studies have focused on its potential biomarkers. This study aims to revise the literature to identify which biomarkers can define the endotype of C. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) process to identify published experimental articles about molecular biomarkers in C. RESULTS: KGF and its receptor, MMP-9, KRT-1, KRT-10, and MIF might be considered biomarkers of recurrence, whereas Ki-67, TLR-4, RANKL, IL17, MMP-2, MMP-9, IL6, TNF-α, should be considered more specifically as biomarkers of bony erosion. CONCLUSIONS: These results are interesting especially from a prognostic point of view, nevertheless more studies are needed to search new biomarkers of C that could completely change not only the therapeutic standards of the disease, but also the clinical history of C itself in the era of precision medicine.

Comparison between overlay and underlay primary myringoplasty: retrospective analysis on anatomical and functional results in 497 adult patients

PURPOSE: Retro-auricular approach using an autologous graft is the main surgical method for myringoplasty (MPL). Endaural and transcanal or endoscopic approaches are also used. There is no definitive consensus on the best MPL surgical technique. The aim of this study is to compare the two most used technique, over and underlay MPL, to evaluate the difference in anatomical and functional outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We made a retrospective analysis of 497 adult patients who underwent underlay or overlay primary MPL, between 2010 and 2018, and evaluated the difference in anatomical and functional outcomes. RESULTS: Successful functional results, evaluated 18 months after surgery, were obtained in 380 patients (76,4%); the underlay MPL obtained a successful result in 85% of patients, while the overlay technique in the 68%. We observed anatomical failure in 13.4% patients, in detail 9,8% of underlay MPL and 17,2% of overlay MPL had an anatomical failure. CONCLUSION: Our results show less complications related to the underlay technique. We believe that this remains the technique to prefer, except in subtotal or wide anterior perforations that could be better managed using the overlay technique.

Computed-Tomography-Structured Reporting in Middle Ear Opacification: Surgical Results and Clinical Considerations From a Large Retrospective Analysis.

Purpose: The aim of the study is to compare the accuracy of unstructured preoperative Computed Tomography (CT) reports from non-tertiary diagnostic centers with intraoperative findings in a large cohort of patients with Chronic Otitis Media (COM) undergone surgery. Methods: From 2012 to 2019, a total number of 301 patients were considered for our purposes. All patients with clinical evidence of COM had preoperative non-contrast high resolution CT scan of the temporal bone in non-tertiary diagnostic centers, performed within 3 months before surgery. Results: The accuracy of CT reports was analyzed in terms of nature, anatomical site, disease extension, bony erosion, vascular structures abnormalities relevant to surgical planning, and Eustachian tube patency. Compared to post-surgical findings, CT reporting critical analysis revealed a tendency to overestimation of bony erosion, coupled to underestimated description of facial canal/lateral semi-circular canal, vascular structures, and Eustachian tube. Conclusion: Discrepancies between CT reports and surgical findings in middle ear opacification can be at least in part due to limited expertise of general radiologists in ENT neuroimaging. To limit this lack of information and the limited accuracy of middle ear structures depiction, here we propose a structured checklist to adopt in the case of a temporal bone CT scan for COM, in order to optimize the communication with surgeons and provide all the crucial information for an accurate surgical planning.

Cross-cultural adaptation and Italian validation of chronic otitis media outcome test 15 (COMOT-15).

OBJECTIVE: Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) may result in a serious impairment of the quality of life (QoL). The most relevant characteristics of CSOM are well represented in the "Chronic Otitis Media Outcome Test 15" questionnaire (COMOT-15). The aim of the study was to translate and adapt the COMOT-15 questionnaire into Italian. METHODS: This is a prospective study conducted on 52 Caucasian Italian-speaking patients with CSOM and 52 controls. The linguistic adaptation of the COMOT-15 consisted of the translation of the English version into Italian and reliability assessment of the translation. Psychometric measurements included internal consistency and test-retest reliability. RESULTS: Cronbach's α was 0.95. The test-retest reliability showed a strong positive correlation for total score and all subscales. Age and gender had no influence on the scores. The correlation between the COMOT-15 and the pure tone average showed a significant association for the scale "Hearing Function". CONCLUSIONS: The Italian COMOT-15 questionnaire provides good internal consistency and is suitable for QoL evaluation in Italian-speaking patients suffering from CSOM. In addition, it is able to evaluate the subjective symptoms perceived by patients.

Skull Base Fungal Osteomyelitis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Skull base osteomyelitis (SBO) is an invasive infection refractory to therapy, closely linked with malignant otitis externa (MOE). It is characterized by a mild clinical presentation that can delay cross-sectional imaging considered as the key to revealing it. Skull base osteomyelitis typically affects elderly diabetics and immunocompromised patients (>70 years). It most commonly has an otogenic origin due to an extension of MOE. The prognosis can be very poor without the administration of adequate and timely therapy at an early disease stage. Nowadays, Pseudomonas aeruginosa remains the most common pathogen associated with SBO. Fungi are a rare cause of MOE. This report documents a rare case of otogenic SBO caused by Candida parapsilosis in a diabetic patient, with persistent otologic symptoms as clinical onset and resistance to medical treatment. Fungal MOE has more subtle symptoms and is more aggressive than its bacterial counterpart. When MOE is resistant to antibacterial drugs, this should raise the suspicion of a fungal etiology of MOE. The current guidelines do not exhaustively describe the diagnosis, antifungal drugs of choice, and optimum duration of treatment. The description of these rare clinical cases should help with the multidisciplinary management of this disease in order to optimize the diagnosis and therapeutic protocol.

Our Experience on Temporal Bone Fractures: Retrospective Analysis of 141 Cases.

Temporal bone fractures are a common lesion of the base of the skull. The diagnosis and management of temporal bone fractures require a multidisciplinary approach. Variable clinical presentations may arise from such fractures, ranging from an asymptomatic course to very serious consequences. The aim of this study was to report our experience with a series of patients with temporal bone fractures and to propose a diagnostic/therapeutic algorithm. This study enrolled 141 patients, 96 (68.1%) males and 45 (31.9%) females, ranging in age from 20 to 60 (average age: 39 ± 4.1 years), with temporal bone fractures who were referred to Cardarelli Hospital between 2006 and 2018. The present paper presents a classification of temporal bone fractures and typical clinical sequelae and provides an illustration of their prognosis and treatment.

Clinical management of extrapleural septal solitary fibrous tumor: A case report.

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a rare neoplasm arising from the pleura, although it can sometimes affect extrapleural sites, including the head and neck. The sinonasal involvement is exceptional. Recent literature defines the SFT as a single spectrum of mesenchymal tumors, including hemangiopericytoma, which is currently considered a cellular phenotypic variant. The current case describes a rare case of a nasal septal SFT. The mass was embolized and then removed through endonasal endoscopic surgery. Histopathologic examination demonstrated positive immunoreactivity for CD34, and negative for keratin and S100 protein confirming the diagnosis of benign nasal SFT. After two years of follow-up, no relapse was observed. Diagnostic assessment of SFT requires nasal endoscopy, imaging and histopathological examination and a long time follow up is mandatory.

Unusual Localization of an Emergent Bacterium, Raoultella ornithinolytica.

Raoultella ornithinolytica is a bacterium belonging to the family Enterobacteriacae. It is a rare but emergent cause of human pathologies especially in immunocompromised patients. We described the first case in the literature of isolated external otitis sustained by Raoultella ornithinolytica in an immunocompetent host. A 54-year-old Caucasian man with a history of previous myringoplasty came to our attention reporting otalgia and otorrhea. We performed right ear swab for culture examination, meanwhile we started empirical therapy with topic administration of neomycin, without any clinical improvement. The cultural examination showed the presence of a Raoultella ornithinolytica infection. After ten days of treatment with oral ciprofloxacin and topic levofloxacin, there was the complete resolution of pain and inflammation. Raoultella ornithinolytica must be taken into consideration as an emergent cause of human infection, also in case of external otitis. Infection can be severe and can occur both in immunocompromised and in immunocompetent hosts. Culture test is mandatory to choose the proper therapy and avoid potential severe complications.

Apparent diffusion coefficients for predicting primary cholesteatoma risk of recurrence after surgical clearance.

PURPOSE: Beside the well-known accuracy of non-EPI DWI techniques and relative ADC maps in detecting cholesteatomatous tissue, ADC can also represent a useful tool for stratifying cholesteatoma risk of recurrence. Aim of this study is to test the role of ADC in determining risk of recurrence for primary middle ear cholesteatoma, proposing stratification based on pre-operative mean (mADC) and normalized (nADC) ADC values. METHODS: In this prospective study, 60 patients with primary unilateral middle ear cholesteatoma underwent a three-years-long follow-up to assess the presence of recurrent disease after macroscopically complete excisional surgery. Baseline MRI examination mADC and nADC values in the group with early evidence of recurrent cholesteatoma were compared to the group with no evidence of recurrence by using T statistics. RESULTS: ADC values on pre-operative MRI examination were lower in cholesteatomas with early evidence of recurrence, and statistical significance was slightly higher for nADC compared to mADC measurements. We also determined a cut-off between the two groups, proposing stratification in high-risk of recurrence cholesteatomas (mADC≤ 1000 or nADC< 1.3) and low-risk cholesteatomas (mADC>1000 or nADC≥1.3). CONCLUSIONS: ADC values resulted discriminating in identifying cholesteatomas with higher risk of early recurrence, both for mean and normalized ADC, with optimized tissue characterization and outcome prediction.

Diagnosis and management of intralabyrinthine schwannoma: case series and review of the literature.

Intralabyrinthine schwannoma (ILS) is a rare benign tumor affecting cochlear and vestibular nerves, whose symptoms are generally unspecific and frequently responsible for a late diagnosis. Radiological examinations, with particular reference to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), represent the only diagnostic technique to identify ILS. On computed tomography ILS can only be indirectly suspected by the presence of surrounding bone remodeling, whereas MRI provides direct visualization of the neoplasm as a filling defect within the labyrinth with vivid contrast enhancement. At the same time, MRI is also helpful in defining ILS anatomical extension into adjacent structures and in planning therapeutic management. Here we report three representative cases of ILS with new pictorial imaging features to improve ILS early detection and optimize subsequent therapeutic management.