Endoscopic-Assisted Cochlear Implantation in Far Advanced Otosclerosis.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of cochlear implantation (CI) in case of far advanced otosclerosis and to evaluate the value of using intraoperative otoendoscopy to facilitate the identification of the round window membrane and the scala tympani without the need to remove the posterior canal wall or to perform a subtotal petrosectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case-series study. SETTING: Tertiary academic CI center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on patients with far advanced otosclerosis who underwent endoscopic-assisted CI between January 2010 and June 2020 at the same CI center. The minimum follow-up period was 2 years after surgery. RESULTS: Fourteen patients were included in the study. Ten patients had undergone a previous stapedotomy. Electrode insertion in the scala tympani was successfully accomplished in all cases included in the study. There was a statistically significant improvement in pure-tone average and speech discrimination scores in all cases of the study group (p < 0.0001). There were no statistically significant differences in postoperative pure-tone average or speech discrimination scores between cases with and without cochlear ossification or between cases with and without a previous stapedotomy (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Endoscopic-assisted CI is an effective option for hearing restoration in patients with far advanced otosclerosis. Otoendoscopy can facilitate visualization and access to the scala tympani without the need to remove the posterior canal wall or to perform a subtotal petrosectomy.

Endoscopic ossiculoplasty in traumatic conductive hearing loss with intact tympanic membrane: a five-year experience.

BACKGROUND: Exploratory tympanotomy in cases of traumatic ossicular disruption with intact tympanic membrane is crucial for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Performing this procedure using the endoscope is gaining popularity. Hence, this study aimed to demonstrate varieties of ossicular pathology and their management in our institution. METHODS: A retrospective evaluation was conducted of 136 ears in patients with traumatic ossicular disruption with an intact tympanic membrane, who underwent endoscopic exploratory tympanotomy. A proposed algorithm was followed, to incorporate different traumatic ossicular possibilities. Assessment of hearing outcomes and surgical complications was performed six months post-operatively. RESULTS: Incudostapedial dislocation was the most commonly encountered type of traumatic ossicular disruption (35.3 per cent). Air conduction threshold improved significantly following endoscopic ossiculoplasty, from 50.9 ± 6.35 dB pre-operatively to 22.35 ± 3.27 dB post-operatively, with successful air-bone gap closure. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic ear surgery is effective in the diagnosis and management of challenging cases of post-traumatic ossicular disruption with an intact tympanic membrane.

Discriminant Analysis of the Prognostic Factors for Hearing Outcomes in Patients with Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to determine and assess prognostic variables that might affect the hearing result in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss following intratympanic steroid injection. METHODS: In total, 190 patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss received intratympanic steroid injection. Two hearing indices (recovery and nonrecovery) will be analyzed as dependent variables; patient's age, time period between the onset of hearing loss and treatment, initial level of hearing (hearing loss pre), type of audiogram curve (upsloping, downsloping, and flat), presence of vertigo, presence of tinnitus, and diabetes) will be analyzed as prognostic factor variables. RESULTS: Recovery was seen in 72% of the patients. Different preinjection audiogram curves and hearing grades had a significant effect on recovery, absence of vestibular symptoms and no diabetic history were noted to have a good prognosis. Delay in treatment by more than 30 days from the onset of hearing loss was associated with a worse prognosis. CONCLUSION: Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss associated with late treatment plan more than 1 month, presence of vertigo, diabetes, and profound prehearing loss were negative prognostic factors. Whereas age, gender, and presence of tinnitus did not affect prognosis. More stable response was obtained when intratympanic steroids were added within 1 month after diagnosis, and the patient presented with mild or moderate hearing loss grade, flat or downsloping pure tone audiometery curve, and absence of vertigo and nondiabetic with significantly good results.

Combined preoperative HRCT parameters for prediction of round window visibility in pediatric cochlear implant patient.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the add value of combined analysis of high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) temporal bone parameters in accurate prediction of round window (RW) visibility through posterior tympanotomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: a retrospective observational study was held in a tertiary center, conducted on 45 cochlear implant pediatric candidates between January 2017 and September 2019. Candidates were referred for CT temporal bone. They were classified into fully visible RW cases and partially or non-visible RW cases. Radiological measurements were compared between the two groups for prediction of RW visibility separate and in combination. RESULTS: 45 patients were included in the study (26 males (57.8%) and 19 females (42.2%)). Their median age was 4 years (2-12 years). There were 38 (84.4%) fully visible and 7 (15.6%) partially or non-visible RW cases. Kashio posterior line (n:32/3), fascial recess width (FRW) (mean: 4.9 (3.5-7.5)/4.2 (4-4.7) mm) and round window location (RWL) (3 (1-4)/2.8 (1-3)mm) measurements significantly differentiated between the two groups; (P value 0.034, 0.012 & 0.025 respectively). Posterior kashio line and cut off values of ≥4.75 mm of FRW & 2.95 mm of RWL were showed sensitivity 84.2%, 63.2% & 65.8%, and accuracy 80%, 68.9% &68.9% in prediction of RW visibility respectively. Combination of Kashio prediction line with cut off value ≥ 7.45 mm (sum of FRW & RWL) showed P value 0.003 with further improve in the sensitivity and overall accuracy in prediction of RW visibility from 84.2% to 80% up to 91.4% and 88.6% respectively. CONCLUSION: combined parameters using Kashio line with FRW and RWL increases sensitivity and overall accuracy in prediction of RW visibility rather than single parameter.

Computed Tomography Staging of Middle Ear Cholesteatoma.

BACKGROUND: To establish computed tomography (CT) staging of middle ear cholesteatoma and assess its impact on the selection of the surgical procedure. MATERIAL/METHODS: Prospective study was conducted on 61 consecutive patients (mean age 26.8 years) with middle ear cholesteatoma. CT scan of the temporal bone and surgery were performed in all patients. CT staging classified cholesteatoma according to its location in the tympanic cavity (T); extension into the mastoid (M); and associated complications (C). Cholesteatoma was staged as stage I (T1, T2), stage II (T3, M1, M2, C1), and stage III (C2). RESULTS: The overall sensitivity of CT staging of cholesteatoma compared to surgery was 88% with excellent agreement and correlation between CT findings and intra-operative findings (K=0.863, r=0.86, P=0.001). There was excellent agreement and correlation of CT staging with surgical findings for T location (K=0.811, r=0.89, P=0.001), good for M extension (K=0.734, r=0.88, P=0.001), and excellent for associated C complications (K=1.00, r=1.0, P=0.001). Atticotympanotomy was carried out in stage I (n=14), intact canal wall surgery was performed in stage II (n=38), and canal wall down surgery was done in stage III (n=5) and stage II (n=4). CONCLUSIONS: We established CT staging of middle ear cholesteatoma that helps surgeons to select an appropriate surgery.