Repeat Radiosurgery for Sporadic Vestibular Schwannoma After Primary Radiosurgical Failure: An International Multi-institutional Investigation.

OBJECTIVE: To describe outcomes of patients with sporadic vestibular schwannoma (VS) who underwent repeat stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) after primary SRS failure. STUDY DESIGN: Multi-institutional historical cohort study. SETTING: Five tertiary care referral centers. PATIENTS: Adults ≥18 years old with sporadic VS. INTERVENTION: Primary and repeat treatment with SRS. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Microsurgery-free survival after repeat SRS. RESULTS: Across institutions, 32 patients underwent repeat SRS after primary SRS. Most patients (74%) had tumors with cerebellopontine angle extension at primary SRS (median size, 13.5 mm [interquartile range, 7.5-18.8] mm). After primary SRS, patients underwent repeat SRS at a median of 4.8 years (interquartile range, 3.2-5.7 yr). For treatment modality, 30 (94%) patients received gamma knife for primary treatment and 31 (97%) patients received gamma knife as their repeat treatment. Median tumor volume increased from 0.970 cm3 at primary SRS to 2.200 cm3 at repeat SRS. Facial nerve function worsened in two patients after primary SRS and in two patients after repeat SRS. There were no instances of intracranial complications after repeat SRS. Microsurgery-free survival rates (95% confidence interval; number still at risk) at 1, 3, and 5 years after repeat SRS were 97% (90-100%, 24), 84% (71-100%, 13), and 68% (48-96%, 6), respectively. There was one occurrence of malignancy diagnosed after repeat radiosurgery. CONCLUSION: Overall, repeat SRS for sporadic VS has comparable risk profile, but lower rates of tumor control, compared with primary SRS.

Evaluating calcium channel blockers and bisphosphonates as otoprotective agents in cochlear implantation hearing preservation candidates.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate potential effects of calcium channel blockers (CCB) and bisphosphonates (BP) on residual hearing following cochlear implantation. METHODS: Medications of 303 adult hearing preservation (HP) candidates (low frequency pure tone average [LFPTA] of 125, 250, and 500 Hz ≤80 dB HL) were reviewed. Postimplantation LFPTA of patients taking CCBs and BPs were compared to controls matched by age and preimplantation LFPTA. RESULTS: Twenty-six HP candidates were taking a CCB (N = 14) or bisphosphonate (N = 12) at implantation. Median follow-up was 1.37 years (range 0.22-4.64y). Among subjects with initial HP, 29% (N = 2 of 7) CCB users compared to 50% (N = 2 of 4) controls subsequently lost residual hearing 3-6 months later (OR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.04-4.32, p = 0.58). None of the four BP patients with initial HP experienced delayed loss compared to 50% (N = 2 of 4) controls with initial HP (OR = 0.00, 95% CI = 0.00-1.95, P = 0.43). Two CCB and one BP patients improved to a LFPTA <80 dB HL following initial unaided thresholds that suggested loss of residual hearing. DISCUSSION: There were no significant differences in the odds of delayed loss of residual hearing with CCBs or BPs. CONCLUSION: Further investigation into potential otoprotective adjuvants for maintaining residual hearing following initial successful hearing preservation is warranted, with larger cohorts and additional CCB/BP agents.

Salvage Microsurgery Following Failed Primary Radiosurgery in Sporadic Vestibular Schwannoma.

Importance: Management of sporadic vestibular schwannoma with radiosurgery is becoming increasingly common globally; however, limited data currently characterize patient outcomes in the setting of microsurgical salvage for radiosurgical failure. Objective: To describe the clinical outcomes of salvage microsurgery following failed primary stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) or fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) among patients with sporadic vestibular schwannoma. Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a cohort study of adults (≥18 years old) with sporadic vestibular schwannoma who underwent salvage microsurgery following failed primary SRS/FSRT in 7 vestibular schwannoma treatment centers across the US and Norway. Data collection was performed between July 2022 and January 2023, with data analysis performed between January and July 2023. Exposure: Salvage microsurgical tumor resection. Main Outcomes and Measures: Composite outcome of undergoing less than gross total resection (GTR) or experiencing long-term facial paresis. Results: Among 126 patients, the median (IQR) age at time of salvage microsurgery was 62 (53-70) years, 69 (55%) were female, and 113 of 117 (97%) had tumors that extended into the cerebellopontine angle at time of salvage. Of 125 patients, 96 (76%) underwent primary gamma knife SRS, while 24 (19%) underwent linear accelerator-based SRS; the remaining patients underwent FSRT using other modalities. Postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak was seen in 15 of 126 patients (12%), hydrocephalus in 8 (6%), symptomatic stroke in 7 (6%), and meningitis in 2 (2%). Each 1-mm increase in cerebellopontine angle tumor size was associated with a 13% increased likelihood of foregoing GTR (64 of 102 patients [63%]) or long-term postoperative House-Brackmann grade higher than I (48 of 102 patients [47%]) (odds ratio, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.04-1.23). Following salvage microsurgery, tumor growth-free survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 97% (95% CI, 94%-100%), 93% (95% CI, 87%-99%), and 91% (95% CI, 84%-98%), respectively. Conclusions: In this cohort study, more than half of patients who received salvage microsurgery following primary SRS/FSRT underwent less than GTR or experienced some degree of facial paresis long term. These data suggest that the cumulative risk of developing facial paresis following primary SRS/FSRT by the end of the patient's journey with treatment approximates 2.5% to 7.5% when using published primary SRS/FSRT long-term tumor control rates.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities Among Hearing Aid and Cochlear Implant Patients at a Tertiary-Level Academic Otology Practice.

OBJECTIVE: Utilization of hearing aids (HAs) and cochlear implants (CIs) is limited, with our group previously demonstrating that non-White patients pursue CI less than White patients. The aim of this study was to compare the demographic makeup of patients more recently evaluated for both interventions in our clinic, exploring the influence of insurance on pursuit of HA, and whether changes have occurred in CI uptake. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Tertiary-level academic otology clinic. METHODS: All patients (18 yr or older) evaluated for an HA or CI in 2019 were included. Demographic variables (including race, insurance, and socioeconomic status) were compared between patients who did and did not obtain an HA or CI. RESULTS: In 2019, 390 patients underwent an HA evaluation, and 195 patients received a CI evaluation. Relative to patients evaluated for CI, patients evaluated for HA were more likely to be White (71.3% versus 79.4%, p = 0.027). Examining factors that affected HA purchase, Black race (odds ratio, 0.32; 95% confidence interval, 0.12-0.85; p = 0.022), and lower socioeconomic status (odds ratio, 0.99; 95% confidence interval, 0.98-1.00; p = 0.039) were associated with decreased odds. Demographic variables and AzBio quiet scores were not associated with decision to pursue CI surgery. CONCLUSIONS: White patients comprised a larger proportion of HA evaluations than CI evaluations. Furthermore, White patients and those of higher socioeconomic status were more likely to purchase HA. Improved outreach and expanded insurance benefits for HA are needed to ensure equal access to aural rehabilitation.

Audiometric and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Single-Sided Deafness Cochlear Implant Recipients Using the CIQOL-35.

OBJECTIVE: Describe the effect that cochlear implantation (CI) has on audiometric outcomes and quality of life (QOL) in patients with single-sided deafness (SSD). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case review. SETTING: Tertiary university hospital system. METHODS: Preoperative and postoperative AzBio performance and Cochlear Implant Quality of Life-35 (CIQOL-35) Profile scores in CI patients with SSD were compared, and postoperative measures were compared to those from CI patients without SSD. RESULTS: Seventeen patients with unilateral CI and contralateral unaided pure-tone averages ≤30 dB were included. The median age was 60.2 (interquartile range [IQR], 50.9-64.9 years), and 7/17 (41%) were women. Median daily use was 8.2 hour (IQR, 5.4-11.9 h). The median preoperative AzBio quiet score in the ear to be implanted was 3% (IQR, 0%-6%). After a median follow-up of 12.0 months, the median postoperative AzBio quiet score was 76% (IQR, 47%-86%) (p < .01). SSD subjects demonstrated statistically significant improvements in median scores on the following CIQOL-35 subdomains following implantation: Entertainment (17 preoperatively vs 21 postoperatively), Listening Effort (12 vs 14), Social (17 vs 22), and Global (28 vs 35; p < .05). SSD patients achieved equal or higher postoperative CIQOL-35 scores in most subdomains (6/7) compared to an age-matched group of non-SSD CI recipients who underwent unilaterally (N = 19) or sequential (N = 6) implantation. CONCLUSION: SSD CI patients not only demonstrate significant improvements in speech perception testing in the implanted ear but also exhibit improvement in multiple QOL subdomains on the CIQOL-35, the only validated cochlear implant QOL instrument.

The Influence of Activities and Functional Social Support on Adult Cochlear Implant Outcomes.

Objective: The objective of this study is to assess whether patient participation in specific activities and perceived social support correlate with speech perception following cochlear implantation. Setting: Tertiary referral hospital. Methods: Adult cochlear implantation patients implanted in their poorer hearing ear between January 2019 and December 2020 completed the Functional Social Support Questionnaire (FSSQ) and a modified version of the Victoria Lifestyle Study-Activities Lifestyle Questionnaire (VLS-ALQ). Demographics, FSSQ score, and individual activities were correlated with implanted ear and binaural AzBio scores. Results: Twenty-three patients completed the survey and had at least 6 months of follow-up with appropriate speech perception testing. The average age at survey completion was 71.7 (SD, 9.1). Average pure-tone average in the contralateral ear was 70.1 (SD: 20) dB. The majority (N = 21, 91.3%) wore a hearing aid in the contralateral ear following cochlear implantation. Mean AzBioQuiet score improvement was 60.6% (range: 20%-99%) in the implanted ear and 42.6% (range: -2% to 67%) binaurally. Work-related social support correlated positively with improvement in the implanted ear (Pearson's R = 0.473; 95% CI, 0.075-0.741; P = 0.023). Improvement in the implanted ear correlated positively with creative writing (R = 0.542; 95% CI, 0.167-0.780; P = 0.008), attending films (R = 0.448; 95% CI, 0.044-0.726; P = 0.032), going out with friends (R = 0.423; 95% CI, 0.013-0.711; P = 0.044) listening to audiobooks (R = 0.433; 95% CI, 0.025-0.717; P = 0.039), and public speaking (R = 0.468; 95% CI, 0.069-0.738; P = 0.024). Gains in binaural performance correlated positively with watching TV news (R = 0.819; 95% CI, 0.509-0.941; P < 0.001) and negatively with eating at restaurants (R = -0.532; 95% CI, -0.829 to -0.002; P = 0.05). Conclusions: Activities that provide intellectual stimulation and engage auditory faculties correlate with greater speech perception testing improvements in adult cochlear implantation patients.

Pediatric Single-Sided Deafness.

The purpose of this article is to outline the current state of evaluating children with unilateral hearing loss, with significant focus on cochlear implantation, in terms of reviewing the key points of the history, including the duration of deafness, outlining the recommended audiometric testing battery, and discussing issues related to imaging of the auditory system and related anatomy. In addition, a comprehensive and up-to-date summary of outcomes in terms of speech perception, sound localization, and quality of life for both the child with unilateral hearing loss as well as their parent(s) is reported.

Hearing Preservation After Intervention in Vestibular Schwannoma.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the durability of audiological outcomes after radiation and surgery in the management of vestibular schwannoma. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: Tertiary academic center. PATIENTS: Adults with sporadic vestibular schwannoma and serviceable hearing at the time of intervention. INTERVENTIONS: Gamma Knife, middle cranial fossa, or retrosigmoid approaches. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pure-tone audiometry and speech discrimination scores. RESULTS: Postintervention serviceable hearing (class A/B) was preserved in 70.4% (n = 130; mean follow-up, 3.31 yr; range, 0-15.25 yr). Of the 49 patients treated with radiation, 19 (39.6%) had serviceable hearing at last follow-up, compared with 38 (46.9% of 81) who underwent retrosigmoid (n = 36 [44.4%]) and middle cranial fossa (n = 45 [55.6%]) approaches (odds ratio [OR], 1.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.67-2.82; p = 0.47). A matched analysis by age, tumor volume, and preintervention hearing (n = 38) also found no difference in hearing preservation (HP) likelihood between surgery and radiation (OR, 2.33; 95% CI, 0.24-35.91; p = 0.59). After initial HP, 4 (9.5%) surgical versus 10 (37.0%) radiated patients subsequently lost residual serviceable (A/B) hearing (OR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.06-0.69; p = 0.01) at a mean 3.74 ± 3.58 and 4.73 ± 3.83 years after surgery and radiation, respectively. Overall, 5- and 10-year HP rates (A/B) after initially successful HP surgery were 84.4 and 63.0%, respectively. However, survival estimates declined to 48.9% at 5 years and 32.7% at 10 years when patients with immediate postoperative serviceable hearing loss were also included, which were comparable to radiation-HP rates at 5 and 10 years of 28.0 and 14.2%, respectively ( p = 0.75). CONCLUSIONS: After vestibular schwannoma intervention, overall HP was similar between radiated and surgical cohorts. However, when successful, surgical approaches offered more durable hearing outcomes at long-term follow-up.

COVID-19 and otologic surgery.

In this article, we aim to summarize the impacts of COVID-19 on the practice of otologic surgery. Cadaveric studies have indicated COVID-19 viral particles are present in the middle ear mucosa of infected hosts. Otologic procedures can generate significant amounts of droplets due to reliance on high-speed drills. Multiple guidelines have been developed to improve patient and provider safety peri-operatively. Particle dispersion can be mitigated during microscopic mastoidectomy by utilizing barrier drape techniques. The barrier drape may similarly be applied to the surgical exoscope. Endoscopic techniques have theoretical improved safety benefits by minimizing the need for drilling. The discoveries and innovations borne of the COVID-19 pandemic will lay the groundwork for the practice of otology amidst future pandemics.

Predictors of Recurrence After Sub-total or Near-total Resection of Vestibular Schwannoma: Importance of Tumor Volume and Ventral Extension.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the predictors of remnant tumor regrowth and need for salvage therapy after less than gross total resection (GTR) of vestibular schwannoma (VS). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Tertiary neurotologic referral center. PATIENTS: Patients who underwent VS resection between 2008 and 2019 either with GTR, near total resection (NTR), and subtotal resection (STR). INTERVENTIONS: Microsurgical resection, salvage radiosurgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Regrowth free interval, salvage free interval, tumor doubling rate. RESULTS: Three hundred eighty five cases (GTR = 236, NTR = 77, and STR = 71) from 2008 to 2019 were included. STR cohort had much larger and complex tumors with significant differences in tumor volume, ventral extension and brainstem compression (p  < 0.001). On single predictor analysis, tumor volume, ventral extension, brainstem compression as well as STR strategy was associated with significant increased risk of regrowth and need for salvage therapy. Multivariate analysis revealed STR strategy as significant predictor of regrowth (hazard ratio 3.79, p  < 0.0005). Absolute remnant volume and extent of resection (EOR) did not predict regrowth. A small proportion of cases (NTR = 4%, STR = 15%) eventually needed salvage radiosurgery with excellent ultimate local tumor control with no known recurrence to date. CONCLUSIONS: Conservative surgical strategy employing NTR or STR can be employed safely in large and complex VS. While there is increased risk of regrowth in the STR cohort, excellent local control can be achieved with appropriate use of salvage radiosurgery. No disceret radiologic or operative predictors of regrowth were identified.

Patient Factors Predicting Success in Lateral Graft Tympanoplasty.

Objective: To compare the effects of preoperative medical comorbidities and operative findings on the success of lateral graft tympanoplasty. Study Design: Retrospective chart review. Setting: Tertiary medical center. Patients: Ninety-six patients undergoing lateral graft tympanoplasty from December 2008 to November 2020 with at least 2 months follow-up were included. Patient demographics, comorbidities including smoking status, intraoperative findings, and healing, and hearing outcomes were recorded. Interventions: Lateral graft tympanoplasty. Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome was perforation closure. Secondary outcomes were postoperative complications and change in air-bone gap (ABG). Results: Ninety-nine ears (mean age 40.94 ± 18.44 years) were included. Tympanic membrane perforation closure was achieved in 92 (92.9%) ears. Perforation closure was not associated with diabetes (P > 0.99), smoking (P > 0.99), or the presence of cholesteatoma at the time of lateral graft tympanoplasty (P = 0.10). Increased age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.04, P = 0.31) was also not correlated with tympanic membrane closure rate. An absent malleus resulted in a higher rate of lateralization (31.3% versus 2.1%; OR = 18.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.09-95.95, P = 0.001) but not blunting (12.5% versus 4.8%; OR = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.49-12.93, P = 0.24). The mean ABG improved 6.82 ± 11.33 dB (P < 0.01). History of prior tympanoplasty was associated with smaller ABG improvement following surgery (ß = 4.038, R2 = 0.262, P = 0.04) but not perforation closure (OR = 3.25, 95% CI = 0.63-16.81, P = 0.24). Conclusions: Diabetes, active smoking, and advancing age were not associated with adverse healing in patients undergoing lateral graft tympanoplasty. Lateralization was more common with an absent malleus.

Comparison of Small Intestinal Submucosal Graft and Autologous Tissue in Prevention of CSF leak after Posterior Fossa Craniotomy.

Objective To compare the use of porcine small intestinal submucosal grafts (SISG) and standard autologous material (fascia) in prevention of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak and pseudomeningocele formation after translabyrinthine resection. Setting Set at the tertiary skull base center. Methods This is a retrospective chart review. After Institutional Review Board approval, we performed a retrospective cohort study evaluating CSF leak in patients who underwent resection of lateral skull base defects with multilayered reconstruction using either fascia autograft or porcine SISGs. Demographics were summarized with descriptive statistics. Logistic regression was used to compare autograft and xenograft cohorts in terms of CSF complications. Results Seventy-seven patients underwent lateral skull base resection, followed by reconstruction of the posterior cranial fossa. Of these patients, 21 (27.3%) underwent multilayer repair using SISG xenograft. There were no significant differences in leak-associated complications between autograft and xenograft cohorts. Ventriculoperitoneal shunt was necessary in one (1.8%) autograft and one (4.8) xenograft cases ( p = 0.49). Operative repair to revise surgical defect was necessary in three (5.4%) autograft cases and none in xenograft cases. Conclusion The use of SISG as a component of complex skull base reconstruction after translabyrinthine tumor resection may help reduce CSF leak rates and need for further intervention.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks of the Posterior Fossa: Patient Characteristics and Imaging Features.

Objective The main purpose of this article is to investigate the prevalence and features of posterior fossa defects (PFD) in spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leaks (sCSFL). Design This is a retrospective case series. Setting Tertiary skull base center. Participants Consecutive adults undergoing lateral skull base repair of sCSFL between 2003 and 2018. Main Outcome Measures The following data were collected: demographics, comorbidities, radiology and intraoperative findings, and surgical outcomes including complications and need for revision surgery or shunt placement. Patients with incomplete data or leaks following skull base surgery, trauma, or chronic ear disease were excluded. Results Seventy-one patients (74% female, mean age 56.39 ± 11.50 years) underwent repair of spontaneous lateral skull base leaks. Eight ears (7 patients, 11.1%) had leaks involving the posterior fossa plate in addition to defects of the tegmen mastoideum (50%), tegmen tympani (25%), or both (25%). Patients with PFDs more often had bilateral tegmen thinning on imaging (75%, odds ratio [OR]: 10.71, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.20-54.35, p = 0.005) and symptomatic bilateral leaks (OR: 9.67, 95% CI: 2.22-40.17, p = 0.01. All PFD patients had arachnoid granulations adjacent to ipsilateral mastoid cell opacification. However, this finding was often subtle and rarely included on the radiology report. There was no significant difference in body mass index, age, presenting complaints, or operative success between the PFD and isolated tegmen defect sCSFL cohorts. Conclusion The posterior fossa is an uncommon location for sCSFL. Careful review of preoperative imaging is often suggestive and can inform surgical approach. PFD patients are similar to those with isolated tegmen-based defects in presentation, comorbidities, and outcomes.

Investigating Predictors of Increased Length of Stay After Resection of Vestibular Schwannoma Using Machine Learning.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the predictors of prolonged length of stay (LOS) after vestibular schwannoma resection. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Patients who underwent vestibular schwannoma resection between 2008 and 2019. INTERVENTIONS: Variables of interest included age, body mass index, comorbidities, symptoms, previous intervention, microsurgical approach, extent of resection, operative time, preoperative tumor volume, and postoperative complications. Predictive modeling was done through multivariable linear regression and random forest models with 80% of patients used for model training and the remaining 20% used for performance testing. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: LOS was evaluated as the number of days from surgery to discharge. RESULTS: Four hundred one cases from 2008 to 2019 were included with a mean LOS of 3.0 (IQR = 3.0-4.0). Postoperatively, 14 (3.5%) of patients had LOS greater than two standard deviations from the mean (11 days). In a multivariate linear regression model (adjusted R2 = 0.22; p < 0.001), preoperative tumor volume (p < 0.001), coronary artery disease (p = 0.002), hypertension (p = 0.029), and any major complication (p < 0.001) were associated with increased LOS (by 0.12, 3.79, 0.87, and 3.20 days respectively). A machine learning analysis using a random forest identified several potential nonlinear relationships between LOS and preoperative tumor dimensions (length, volume) and operative time that were not captured on regression. The random forest model had lower prediction error compared to the regression model (RMSE 5.67 vs. 44.59). CONCLUSIONS: Tumor volume, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and major complications impact LOS. Machine learning methods may identify nonlinear relationships worthy of targeted clinical investigation and allow for more accurate patient counseling.

Contemporary Management of Jugular Paragangliomas With Neural Preservation.

OBJECTIVES: Management of jugular paragangliomas (PGL) has evolved toward subtotal resection (STR). The purpose of this study is to analyze neural preservation and adjuvant treatment for long-term local control. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTINGS: Tertiary neurotology practice. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Adults undergoing surgical treatment of jugular PGL between 2006 and 2019. Patients, disease, and treatment variables were collected retrospectively. Single predictor logistic regression was used to ascertain predictors of regrowth or need for salvage radiation. RESULTS: A total of 41 patients (median age, 47 years; 76% female) were identified. Most patients presented with advanced-stage disease (Glasscock-Jackson stage III-IV = 76%). Subtotal resection (STR) was performed in 32 (78%) patients. Extended STR (type 1) was the most commonly performed conservative procedure (n = 19, 59%). Postoperative new low cranial neuropathy (LCN) involving CN X and XII was rare (n = 3 and n = 1, respectively). Seventeen patients (41%) underwent postsurgical therapy for tumor regrowth or recurrence, including 15 patients who underwent adjuvant (n = 4) or salvage (n = 11) radiation. Overall tumor control of 94.7% was achieved at a mean follow-up of 35 months. All patients treated with combined modality treatment had local control at last follow-up. Logistic regression identified no single predictor for postsurgical radiation treatment or salvage-free survival. CONCLUSION: Management of jugular PGL with a conservative approach is safe and effective with a low rate of new LCN deficit. Active surveillance of residual tumor with salvage radiation for growth results in excellent long-term tumor control.

Endoscopic Stapes Surgery: Pearls and Pitfalls.

The endoscopic approach to stapes surgery affords unique advantages but is not without its specific challenges. The following reviews the equipment and surgical steps required to perform endoscopic stapes surgery safely and effectively, highlighting tips and potential points of failure through a series of case examples.

Audiometric Outcomes and Middle Ear Disease following Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak Repair.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate audiometric outcomes and incidence of chronic ear disease following lateral skull base repair (LSBR) of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: Tertiary skull base center. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Consecutive adults undergoing LSBR of CSF leaks between 2012 and 2018 were reviewed. Audiometric data included mean air conduction pure-tone average (PTA), air-bone gap (ABG), speech recognition threshold (SRT), and word recognition score (WRS). The incidence and management of the following were collected: effusion, retraction, otitis media and externa, perforation, and cholesteatoma. RESULTS: Seventy-three patients underwent transmastoid (n = 5), middle cranial fossa (n = 2), or combined approach (n = 67) for repair of spontaneous leaks (sCSFLs, n = 41) and those occurring in the setting of chronic ear disease (ceCSFLs, n = 32). ABG decreased 7.23 dB (P = .01) in sCSFL patients. Perforations (P = .01) were more likely in ceCSFL. No sCSFL patient developed a cholesteatoma, perforation, or infection. Effusions (n = 7) were transient, and retractions (n = 2) were managed conservatively in the sCSFL cohort. Eight ceCSFL patients required tubes, 3 underwent tympanoplasties with (n = 2) and without (n = 1) ossicular chain reconstruction (OCR), and 1 had tympanomastoidectomy with OCR. CONCLUSION: Lateral skull base repair of CSF leaks maintained or improved hearing. Patients with preexisting chronic ear disease were more likely to require additional intervention to sustain adequate middle ear aeration compared to the sCSFL cohort. LSBR of sCSFL does not appear to increase risk for developing chronic ear disease.

Impact of Obesity and Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Lateral Skull Base Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak Repair.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and impact of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and obesity in lateral skull base cerebrospinal fluid leak repair (LSBR) of various etiologies. METHODS: Retrospective case review at a tertiary skull base center was conducted of consecutive adults undergoing LSBR via transmastoid, middle cranial fossa, or combined approach between 2013-2018. The following data were collected: demographics, comorbidities, radiology and intraoperative findings, and surgical outcomes including complications and need for revision surgery or shunt placement. Patients with incomplete data or leaks following skull base surgery, trauma or chronic ear disease were excluded. RESULTS: Ninety-four patients (67.4% female, mean age 53.5 ± 12.9 years) underwent repair for spontaneous (sCSFL, 44%) and other etiology (nsCSFL) leaks. nsCSFL served as a comparison group consisting of leaks status-post lateral skull base surgery, temporal bone fractures, and chronic ear disease. Class III obesity (P = .02), OSA (P = .03), and imaging findings of empty sella (OR = 3.32, P = .02), and skull base thinning including contralateral tegmen thinning (31%, OR = 4.3, P = .02), arachnoid granulations (26%, OR = 4.35, P = .02), and superior canal dehiscence (15.8%, OR = 8.57, P = .04) were more common in sCSFL. Four patients (4.2%) required surgical revision for recurrence, and another four (4.2%) resolved with shunting. Evidence of elevated intracranial hypertension was present in nine patients with sCSF leaks and was predictive of need for revision or shunt procedures (P < .01). CONCLUSION: Obesity, OSA, and imaging consistent with elevated intracranial pressures were more common among patients with sCSFL. Elevated intracranial pressure predicted outcomes following multilayer repair of spontaneous CSF leaks LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 130:2234-2240, 2020.