Is topical fluorescein that effective in endoscopic CSF leak closure?

PURPOSE: Several diagnostic modalities are used to detect CSF leaks. Intraoperative use of intrathecal fluorescein can help to detect and localize a CSF leak simultaneously. However, it is not FDA approved, the application is invasive and has serious complications. Topical fluorescein is reported to be a safe and sensitive alternative to ITF. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of topical fluorescein in CSF leak closure. METHODS: This retrospective study includes 27 consecutive patients (19 women, 8 men) who underwent endoscopic endonasal CSF leak closure using topical fluorescein, between 2011 and 2017. RESULTS: In two patients, radiologic studies false positively locate the defect. ß2 transferrin and topical fluorescein tests were positive in these patients. Both cases needed a second operation. CONCLUSION: If radiologic studies fail to locate the defect properly, topical fluorescein only confirms the CSF leak, but the defect cannot be located anatomically intraoperatively.

The wheel-shaped composite cartilage graft (WsCCG) and temporalis fascia for type 1 tympanoplasty: a prospective, randomized study.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the anatomical and functional outcomes of two different grafts which are used for the reconstruction of subtotal or total tympanic membrane perforations: the wheel-shaped composite cartilage graft (WsCCG) and temporalis fascia (TF). METHODS: Ninety patients (94 ears) who underwent type 1 tympanoplasty for non-complicated chronic otitis media between March 2014 and June 2016 in a tertiary referral center were included in a randomized, controlled, prospective clinical trial. Tympanic membranes were reconstructed with the WsCCG or TF. RESULTS: Outcomes of 91 surgeries performed on 87 adults (> 18 years of age) were evaluated in the study. Forty-three patients (44 ears) were included in the WsCCG group; 44 patients (47 ears) were included in the TF group. The mean post-operative follow-up was 14.9 months for the WsCCG group and 15.1 months for the TF group. There was no statistically significant difference in post-operative pure tone average (PTA) (p = 0.19), air-bone gap (ABG) (p = 0.64), PTA gain (p = 0.82) and ABG closure (p = 0.89) values between two groups. Graft success rates at 6 months after surgery were 82.9% (39/47) and 97.7% (43/44) for TF and WsCCG, respectively. At the first year, success rates were 85.1% (40/47) for TF and 97.7% (43/44) for WsCCG. A statistically significant difference was observed in graft success rates between two groups (p = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS: Both TF and WsCCG lead to satisfactory functional results, but the WsCCG clearly leads to superior anatomical outcomes with a graft success rate of 97.7%. The WsCCG is a suitable graft for subtotal or total tympanic membrane perforations and has the advantages of being a one-piece, flexible, composite, and physically resistant graft.

Management of thyroid gland invasion in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of thyroid gland invasion in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma; and the association between clinicopathological parameters and thyroid gland invasion. Medical records of 75 patients with laryngeal and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma who underwent total laryngectomy with thyroidectomy were reviewed, retrospectively. Preoperative computed tomography scans, clinical and operative findings, and histopathological data of the specimens were evaluated. There were 73 male and two female patients with an age range of 41-88 years (mean 60.4 years). Hemithyroidectomy was performed in 62 (82.7 %) and total thyroidectomy was performed in 13 patients (17.3 %). Four patients had histopathologically proven thyroid gland invasion (5.3 %). In three patients, thyroid gland involvement was by means of direct invasion. Thyroid gland invasion was significantly correlated with thyroid cartilage invasion. Therefore, prophylactic thyroidectomy should not be a part of the treatment policy for these tumors.

Tracheal Resection With Primary Anastomosis.

The aim of our study was to present our retrospective experience in the single-stage surgical reconstruction of 21 tracheal stenosis (TS) patients during the last 17 years, considering the characteristics of the treated stenosis, surgical procedures performed, and postoperative outcomes and complications. All demographic and clinical data were collected retrospectively. Chest and neck computed tomography (CT) scans were performed to assess the stenosis, including length, location, and glottic involvement. The stenotic area was evaluated endoscopically according to an adapted Myer and Cotton grading scale. The aetiology of the (TS) was intubation related in 18 patients and idiopathic in three patients. The duration of intubation was 13.00 ±â€Š6.83 days (range, 1 hour to 27 days). According to the Myers-Cotton classification, mean stage of stenosis for the study group was 3.33 ±â€Š0.66 (range, 2-4). Mean length of the stenosis was 2.05 ±â€Š0.80 (range, 1-3.5) cm. The mean number of stenotic segment involved was 3.67 ±â€Š1.24 (range, 2-6). Mean follow-up for the study group, excluding two patients who died in the postoperative period, was 57 (range, 12-326) months. Of the 19 patients who survived, postoperative decannulation was achieved in 16 patients (76.19%), and decannulation was not achieved in 3 patients (14.29%) who are still on a T-tube. Of the 16 patients who are decannulated successfully, additional procedures were applied in 9 patients. Segmental resection with primary anastomosis is an effective method and can be used as the first option in selected patients of (TS).

Chicken or the egg: the dilemma of allergic rhinitis versus adenoid hypertrophy.

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus as to whether allergic rhinitis (AR) is a cause of adenoid hypertrophy (AH). This study evaluated the role of allergy in AH, and it explored the role of nasal endoscopy and the history of diagnosing AR in children empirically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study enrolled 155 children consecutively in Izmir Behcet Uz Children`s Hospital between January and September 2013. RESULTS: Of the patients, 101 (65.2%) had a positive skin prick test. Multiple allergen sensitivity was identified in 76 (75.2%) of these patients. The history items of itching and sneezing had predictive value for empirically diagnosing AR in children. Of the nasal examination findings, only the nasal secretion characteristics had significant predictive value. AH and AR had a significant negative correlation. CONCLUSION: In this study, AH and AR were inversely related. The characteristics of the nasal secretions, itching, sneezing, were predictors of AR in children.

Effects of oral intake of cetirizine HCl and desloratadine molecules on the middle ear mucosa: an experimental animal study.

We have planned to demonstrate histopathologic effects of mid- or long-term oral use of desloratadine and cetirizine HCl molecules on middle ear mucosa of rats. Thirty-six rats were randomized equally into six groups. Desloratadine groups received once daily doses of 1 mg/ml desloratadine for 30 (D30 Group) or 60 (D60 Group) days. The Cetirizine study groups were given once daily doses of 1 mg/ml cetirizine for 30 (S30 Group) or 60 (S60 Group) days. Control groups were given 2 cc physiologic saline using orogastric gavage method through a 12 G gavage catheter for 30 (K30 Group) or 60 (K60) days. At the end of 30 days, D30, S30 and K30 Groups were sacrificed. Tissue samples harvested from groups were evaluated between 1 and 4 Grades for histological characteristics of middle ear canal, eardrum, middle ear epithelium and connective tissue, edema, vascular congestion and inflammatory cells. In the control group no pathological finding was encountered in rats sacrificed on 30 and 60 days. No statistical difference was observed when groups were compared on external ear epithelial tissue, external ear sebaceous gland, middle ear inflammation, and middle ear capillary dilatation both on 30 and 60 days. Tympanic membrane collagen was more evident in D30 and D60 groups when compared with C30 and C60 groups. Comparison of histopathological grading results between 30 and 60 days revealed no significant changes. In conclusion, oral intake of cetirizine and desloratadine preparations has effects of tympanic membrane collagen, degrees of edema and vascular congestion being more prominent with desloratadine molecule.

Searching for the cheese: does ethmoid pneumatization affect the location of the anterior ethmoid artery?

Endoscopic sinus surgery is a widely used technique in otolaryngologic practice. To avoid complications, the locations of important anatomical structures, such as the anterior ethmoid artery (AEA), should be determined preoperatively. We want to evaluate the effect of ethmoid cavity pneumatization on the location of the AEA and to determine consistent landmark(s) for locating the AEA. 524 consecutive patients undergoing sinus CT scans between February and October 2012 were reviewed retrospectively. After the exclusion criteria were applied, 150 CT scans (300 sides) were selected for the study. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between ethmoid pneumatization and the distance of the AEA to the attachment of the inferior turbinate to the lateral nasal wall (Spearman's rho = 0.305; p < 0.001). Likewise, a statistically significant positive correlation was found between ethmoid pneumatization and the distance between the AEA and the frontonasal junction (Spearman's rho = 0.219; p < 0.001). We found that the artery was located mostly between the second and third lamellae [n 211 (71 %) cases]. There was no statistically significant correlation between ethmoid pneumatization and AEA location in terms of the lamellae. Increased ethmoid volume increases the distance of the AEA from the frontonasal junction and the lateral attachment of the inferior turbinate. However, increased pneumatization of the ethmoid cavity did not affect AEA localization in terms of the lamellae. Based on our findings, we suggest that using the lamellae to locate the AEA is reliable.

Factors confusing the diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal reflux: the role of allergic rhinitis and inter-rater variability of laryngeal findings.

The objective of the study was to determine the inter-rater variability in assessment of laryngeal findings and whether diagnosing laryngopharyngeal reflux based on the laryngeal findings and history alone without considering allergic rhinitis leads to the overdiagnosis and overtreatment of laryngopharyngeal reflux. Patients with positive and negative skin prick tests were recruited from an allergy clinic in a tertiary teaching university hospital. All subjects completed the Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) and underwent laryngeal examinations by three physicians blinded to the skin prick test results and the Reflux Finding Score (RFS) was determined. RFS >7 or RSI >13 was considered reflux positive. Fleiss' kappa (κ) was used to measure inter-rater agreement. The inter-rater agreement was low for pseudosulcus vocalis (κ = 0.078), ventricular obliteration (κ = 0.206), diffuse laryngeal edema (κ = 0.204), and posterior laryngeal hypertrophy (κ = 0.27), intermediate for laryngeal erythema/hyperemia (κ = 0.42) and vocal fold edema (κ = 0.42), and high for thick endolaryngeal mucus (κ = 0.61). Although the frequency of allergy was high, there was no significant difference between allergy-positive and laryngopharyngeal reflux-positive patients. On logistic regression analysis, thick endolaryngeal mucus was a significant predictor of allergy (p = 0.012, odds ratio 0.264, 95 % confidence interval 0.093-0.74). The laryngeal examination for reflux is subject to marked inter-rater variability and allergic laryngitis was not misdiagnosed as laryngopharyngeal reflux. The presence of thick endolaryngeal mucus should alert physicians to the possibility of allergic rhinitis/laryngitis.

Pharyngocutaneous fistula following total laryngectomy: multivariate analysis of risk factors.

The objective of this study is to establish the role of risk factors in the etiology of pharyngocutaneous fistula formation after total laryngectomy. A retrospective study was performed for patient, disease and treatment-related factors, and also factors related to pathology specimen. Logistic regression analysis revealed that fistula development ratio was 4.955 times higher in patients with fistula than in the control group when the preoperative hemoglobin value was below 12.2 g/dL, 3.653 times higher when the postoperative hemoglobin value was below 12.2 g/dL, 3.471 times higher in the presence of an accompanying systemic disease, 3.23 times higher when the postoperative albumin level was below 3.5 g/dL, 3.1 times higher when ipsilateral lymph node was positive, 2.05 times higher when erythrocyte suspension is used as transfusion material, and 1.048 times higher when contralateral lymph node was positive. Proper concomitant systemic disease control, maintenance of hematologic values in the pre- and postoperative periods, provision of adequate nutrition, preference of erythrocyte suspensions for transfusion are the key points for the prevention of pharyngocutaneous fistula development. Preoperative detection of positive cervical lymph nodes should alert the physician about the potential development of fistula.

Comparison of different tympanic membrane reconstruction techniques in type I tympanoplasty.

The objective of the study was to assess the functional results after type I tympanoplasty with temporal muscle fascia, perichondrium/cartilage island and cartilage palisades. The records of 120 patients who underwent type I tympanoplasty operation between January 2003 and June 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. This study aimed to comprise a homogeneous group of patients to make the comparisons as accurate as possible. For this purpose, primary tympanoplasty cases with subtotal perforations, intact ossicular chain, dry ear for a period of at least 1 month, and normal middle ear mucosa were included in the study. Patients younger than 15 years of age and patients with cholesteatoma were excluded. Temporal muscle fascia was used in 67 (55.8%), perichondrium/cartilage island flap was used in 34 (28.3%), and cartilage palisades were used in 19 (15.8%) of the patients. Pre- and postoperative otoscopic examinations, pure-tone averages, and air-bone gaps were compared pre and postoperatively. Concerning all of the cases, the graft take rate was 85% (102/120). In the perichondrium/cartilage island flap group, the graft take rate was 97.7%, whereas the graft take rates for the fascia group and cartilage palisades group were 80.6 and 79.0%, respectively. In the perichondrium/cartilage island flap group, the pure-tone average was 36.36 dB, whereas the pure-tone averages for the fascia group and cartilage palisades group were 36.07 and 39.79 dB, preoperatively. The postoperative pure-tone averages were 24.54 dB fort he perichondrium/cartilage island flap group, 24.51 dB for the fascia group and 23.23 dB for the cartilage palisades group. Cartilage grafting is not only more enduring against infection and negative middle ear pressure but also it has low re-perforation rates on long-term follow-up. Thus, cartilage may be preferred more often for primary tympanoplasties with high graft rate and hearing improvement.

Infrahyoid Flap, a Convenient Alternative for Reconstruction of Tongue and Floor of Mouth Defects: Case Series.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to share our clinical experience with the neurovascular myofasiocutan infrahyoid flap (NMIHF), which was used for the reconstruction of the defects after oral cavity cancer surgery. METHODS: Records of five patients who were diagnosed with oral cavity cancer and underwent tumor resection, neck dissection, and defect reconstruction with NMIHF between 2012 and 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The infrahyoid flap was used in five patients: four males and one female. The mean age of patients was 61.8 years. Four patients underwent tumor resection and bilateral level I-III neck dissection, whereas one patient underwent tumor resection and unilateral level I-III neck dissection. NMIHF was used for the reconstruction of the defects during the same procedure in all the patients. Mean post-operative follow-up was 30.6 months. Partial skin necrosis was observed in two patients, but none of the patients showed total necrosis of the flap. Postoperatively, oral intake was initiated after an average of 12 days in all patients. For two patients who required post-operative radiotherapy (RT), the treatment was started after an average of 50 days. CONCLUSION: NMIHF does not prolong operation time and does not cause additional scar in the neck, and the defect in the donor field can be closed without the use of a graft or flap. This is considered to be a reliable and successful alternative to free flaps for the reconstruction of oral cavity defects.

Tumoral mass presenting in the nasomalar region arising from the lateral nasal wall: pleomorphic adenoma.

Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common benign salivary gland tumor. Although the major salivary glands are the most common sites of its origin, it can also occur in the minor salivary glands of the oral cavity and rarely in the neck, ear, nasal cavity and larynx. We report a rare case of intranasal pleomorphic adenoma arising from lateral nasal wall and discuss the clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment approaches with the review of the literature.

Analysis of Recurrence after Frontolateral Laryngectomy.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the recurrence and survival of patients treated with frontolateral laryngectomy for T1 and T2 glottic laryngeal carcinoma. METHODS: Patients who underwent frontolateral laryngectomy for glottic laryngeal carcinoma at a tertiary hospital between March 2009 and June 2014 were included. Patient demographics, tumor stage, treatment and histopathological examination data, and adjuvant therapy details were evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty patients with T1aN0, T1bN0, and T2N0 vocal fold carcinoma were examined. The mean follow-up duration was 40 months. Of the 30 patients, nine (30%) were stage T1 and 21 (70%) were in stage T2. Twenty-nine patients were males and one was female, and the mean age was 59 (range, 42-81) years. During follow-up, local recurrence was observed in four patients following frontolateral laryngectomy. Six patients continued smoking after frontolateral laryngectomy, of which three developed tumor recurrence. The local control rate was poor in patients with anterior commissure involvement (66.6%) compared with those with no involvement (95.2%). Two of four patients with local recurrence were treated with salvage total laryngectomy and adjuvant postoperative radiotherapy; the remaining two were treated with only radiotherapy. One patient who was treated with only radiotherapy developed lung metastasis during follow-up and died because of distant metastasis. CONCLUSION: Frontolateral laryngectomy is an efficient choice of treatment for selected cases of T1 and T2 glottic laryngeal carcinoma.

Clinical Factors Associated with the Diagnosis of Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis.

Objective To determine the predictive value of nasal endoscopic findings and symptoms in the diagnosis of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). Study Design A cross-sectional study. Setting A tertiary university hospital. Subjects and Methods A total of 116 adults were enrolled in the study: 19 patients with GPA, 29 patients with other rheumatic diseases, and 68 healthy volunteers. All patients were examined with a flexible endoscope, and nasal endoscopic images were recorded and evaluated blindly. The medical history of each patient was taken by a physician blinded to the patient's diagnosis. Results Univariate analysis indicated a statistically significant difference in rhinorrhea ( P = .002), postnasal drip ( P = .015), epistaxis ( P < .001), and saddle nose ( P = .017). However, binary logistic regression analysis demonstrated that only history of epistaxis ( P = .012; odds ratio, 5.6) was statistically significant in predicting GPA. Univariate analysis showed a statistically significant difference in nasal secretion ( P = .028), nasal septal perforation ( P < .017), nasal crusting ( P < .001), nasal adhesion ( P < .001), nasal granuloma ( P = .017), and hemorrhagic fragile nasal mucosa ( P < .001). A binary logistic regression analysis demonstrated that only hemorrhagic fragile nasal mucosa ( P < .001; odds ratio, 52.9) was a statistically significant predictor of GPA. Conclusions Given the results of this study, we believe that hemorrhagic fragile nasal mucosa and history of recurrent epistaxis may put patients at risk for GPA and should be investigated accordingly.

Tympanometric changes in an experimental myringosclerosis model after myringotomy.

HYPOTHESIS: The goal of this experimental study was to investigate the specific effect of myringosclerosis on tympanograms in the tympanic membranes of myringotomized rats by using otomicroscopy, tympanometry, and histopathology. BACKGROUND: Myringosclerosis is a common sequela of ventilation tube treatment of otitis media with effusion. The condition involves the hyalinization and calcification of the collagen layer in certain areas of the tympanic membrane. Previous animal experiments suggest an intimate relationship between the formation of myringosclerosis and an increased oxygen concentration in the environment of the wound after myringotomy. The result of a myringotomy therefore is an increased production of free oxygen radicals, initiating irreversible tissue damage involving fibrosis, hyalin degeneration, and finally apoptosis as observed in myringosclerosis. We propose an experimental model specific for creating sclerotic plaques solely on the tympanic membrane and for performing tympanometric measurements on this pure myringosclerosis model without creating any abnormality in the middle ear to test in what proportion myringosclerosis contributes to decrease of amplitude in tympanograms. METHODS: To assess the normal tympanometric values of Wistar albino rats, the pressure and peak admittance of the left middle ears were measured using a semiquantitative computerized clinical admittance meter using a sound frequency of 226 Hz. Twelve animals were randomly selected for the myringotomy group and perforations in the left ears were created. All tympanic membrane perforations in this group had healed and closed prior to the otomicroscopic examination and no pathologic reaction was observed in the external ear canals of rats. Otomicroscopic and tympanometric measurements were carried out on Day 15 and the degree of myringosclerosis was noted before the animals were killed. Twelve specimens in the myringotomy group were histopathologically examined for the presence of myringosclerotic plaques. RESULTS: Under light microscopy, extensive sclerotic lesions were found in the tympanic membranes of the myringotomy group, and these sclerotic deposits were located in the lamina propria. The myringosclerosis occurred predominantly adjacent to the handle of the malleus, but also near the annular region. In all ears with myringosclerosis, the magnitude of the maximum admittance reduced to approximately 50% of the Day-0 values, and this reduction was statistically significant (Z=-3.061, p=0.002). CONCLUSION: The present findings in this study are consistent with the fact that the movement of the tympanic membrane is hampered by lesions of sclerotic material, resulting in a decrease of amplitude in tympanograms (such as Type As) without any effusion or inflammation in the middle ear.

[An unusual lingual cyst lined by respiratory epithelium]. / Brons epiteliyle döseli nadir bir lingual kist.

Apart from several well-established types of developmental cysts in the tongue such as dermoid cyst, lymphoepithelial cyst, and thyroglossal cyst, there are two rare lingual cysts known as lingual cyst of foregut origin and lingual alimentary cyst. In this report, a lingual cyst with a wide involvement of the tongue is presented in a nine-year-old boy with findings of ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Postoperative histopathologic examination showed a lingual cyst of foregut origin lined by respiratory epithelium.

Sensorineural hearing loss after ossicular manipulation and drill-generated acoustic trauma in type I tympanoplasty with and without mastoidectomy: A series of 51 cases.

Recognized causes of high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) after tympanoplasty with and without mastoidectomy include acoustic trauma from manipulation of the ossicles, the noise generated by suctioning and, in the case of mastoidectomy, the noise generated by temporal bone drilling. We conducted a retrospective study to identify the effects of ossicular manipulation and mastoid drilling on high-frequency SNHL. Our study population was made up of 51 patients-20 males and 31 females, aged 10 to 59 years (mean: 28.5). Of this group, 26 patients had undergone a unilateral over-under tympanoplasty only (tympanoplasty group) and 25 had undergone a unilateral tympanoplasty plus additional mastoid surgery (mastoidectomy group). Bone-conduction audiograms were obtained pre- and postoperatively; the latter were obtained within 24 hours after surgery and again at 6 months of follow-up. In the tympanoplasty group, a significant SNHL, primarily at 2 kHz, was seen in 6 patients (23%) at 24 hours, but at 6 months there was no depression of bone-conduction thresholds. In the mastoidectomy group, a significant SNHL, primarily at 2 and 4 kHz, occurred in 12 patients (48%) at 24 hours, and bone-conduction deterioration was still present in 4 patients (16%) 6 months after surgery. The difference between the preoperative audiograms and the 6-month audiograms in both groups was statistically significant (p = 0.034). We conclude that (1) over-under tympanoplasty, which requires significant manipulation of the ossicles, can cause temporary SNHL after surgery, and (2) prolonged exposure to the noise generated by mastoid drilling can result in permanent SNHL.

CO2 laser treatment of tracheal stenosis.

CONCLUSION: Delivery of a carbon dioxide laser is an effective method and can be used in selected cases of tracheal stenosis. OBJECTIVES: To present retrospective experience in tracheal stenosis of 16 patients treated by bronchoscopic delivery of carbon dioxide laser, considering the characteristics of the treated stenosis, surgical procedures performed, and post-operative outcomes and complications. METHODS: All demographic and clinical data were collected retrospectively. Chest and neck computed tomography scans were performed to assess the stenosis, including length, location, and glottic involvement. The stenotic area was evaluated endoscopically according to an adapted Meyer and Cotton grading scale. RESULTS: The aetiology of the tracheal stenosis was intubation-related in 14 cases, and idiopathic in two cases. The duration of intubation ranged between 1 hour to 26 days. According to the Myers-Cotton classification, mean stage of stenosis for the study group was 3.3 ± 0.5. Mean length of the stenosis was 23.75 ± 6.95 (range = 15-40) mm. Mean follow-up for the study group was 23.81 ± 7.11 (range = 12-38) months. Postoperative decannulation was achieved in 13 patients (81.3%), and decannulation was not achieved in three patients (18.7%).

Correlation of computed tomography, echo-planar diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and surgical outcomes in middle ear cholesteatoma.

CONCLUSION: Echo-planar diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW MRI) is more reliable than high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in predicting the presence and localization of cholesteatoma before tympanomastoid surgery. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of HRCT and echo-planar DW MRI in the detection and localization of cholesteatoma. METHODS: Fifty-nine patients were prospectively included in this study. Patients with suspected primary cholesteatoma were evaluated by HRCT and echo-planar DW MRI before tympanomastoid surgery. Radiological findings were correlated with intraoperative findings. RESULTS: HRCT and echo-planar DW MRI accurately predicted the presence or absence of cholesteatoma in 40/59 (67.8%) and 52/59 (88.1%) patients, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of HRCT were 68.97%, 66.67%, 66.67%, and 68.97%, respectively. However, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of echo-planar DW MRI were 85.71%, 90.32%, 88.89%, and 87.50%, respectively.

A microdissection study of the facial nerve at the labyrinthine and tympanic segments in adults.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the relationship in detail between the tympanic and the labyrinthine segments of the facial nerve and the relationship between the bony structures and the neighboring nerve. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Measurement of the length of the segment of the facial nerve within the internal auditory canal and the lengths of the labyrinthine and tympanic segments were made on fourteen temporal bones collected from eight fresh cadavers. RESULTS: The minimum distance between the point where the facial nerve leaves the internal auditory canal and the tympanic segment was measured as 4.71+/-0.54 mm. The angle between the labyrinthine and the tympanic segments at the geniculate ganglion was measured as 73 degrees 85' +/-10 degrees 89'. The angle between the labyrinthine and the superior vestibular nerve were measured as 34 degrees 35' +/-5 degrees 51'. CONCLUSION: We believe that the results of our measurements will help the surgeons to minimize the complications who work in this particular anatomic area.