Chorda tympani nerve course and feasibility of its preservation during atresiaplasty for congenital aural atresia.

Objectives: The association between the chorda tympani nerve (CTN) and atresiaplasty has not been investigated. This study aimed to describe the course of the CTN observed during atresiaplasty for congenital aural atresia (CAA) and explore the feasibility of CTN preservation. Methods: In this retrospective study, six consecutive patients who underwent atresiaplasty in a tertiary academic center were included. The course of the tympanic segment of the CTN and its preservation feasibility were evaluated. Atresiaplasty was performed using an anterior approach. The average Jahrsdoerfer score was 8.7 points (range, 8-9 points). Results: The CTN was located in the atretic plate in all patients. It emerged from an average of 5.6 mm (range, 5.2-6.1) inferior to the incus buttress and crossed the middle ear in an anterior-superior direction. The distance between the neck of the malleus and the CTN varied in the absence of the malleus handle. However, when the malleus handle developed, the CTN passed between the incus and the malleus handle. The CTN was preserved in two of the six patients. They had a Jahrsdoerfer score of 9 and grade I microtia. Conclusion: The CTN was located in the atretic plate, emerging from an average distance of 5.6 mm inferior to the incus buttress. The incus buttress might serve as a good anatomical landmark to identify and preserve the CTN. CTN preservation is feasible in atresiaplasty candidates with a Jahrsdoerfer score of 9 and auricular deformity of grade I. Level of Evidence: 4.

Pneumolabyrinth as an Early Computed Tomographic Finding After Cochlear Implantation and its Clinical Significance.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and volume of pneumolabyrinth using early temporal bone computed tomography (TBCT) findings and evaluate the correlation between pneumolabyrinth and various clinical variables. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case review. SETTING: Tertiary academic center. PATIENTS: Fifty-three consecutive adult cochlear implantation (CI) recipients (53 ears) with normal inner ears who underwent high-resolution TBCT within 3 days after CI were included. INTERVENTION: Axial TBCT images were used for detection and measurement of pneumolabyrinth. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence and volume of pneumolabyrinth were evaluated. In addition, the following clinical variables were analyzed to evaluate the correlation with pneumolabyrinth volume: demographics, implant type, surgical approach, postoperative dizziness, and preservation of functional residual hearing. RESULTS: Pneumolabyrinth was present in all patients, and the average volume was 8.496 mm3. Pneumolabyrinth was confined to the cochlea (pneumocochlea) in all patients except for one who also had pneumovestibule. The pneumolabyrinth volume in patients with postoperative dizziness was significantly larger than that in patients without postoperative dizziness (10.435 mm3 vs. 8.016 mm3; p = 0.029). Multivariate analysis showed that a larger volume of pneumolabyrinth was significantly associated with postoperative dizziness (odds ratio, 1.420; 95% confidence interval, 1.114-1.808; p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: A certain volume of pneumolabyrinth was always present in the early stage after CI, and the volume of pneumolabyrinth measured using early TBCT findings was significantly associated with the occurrence of postoperative dizziness.