Treatment outcomes of cochlear implantation in pediatric patients with Cockayne syndrome type I: a case series.

This retrospective case series evaluates treatment outcomes post-cochlear implantation in pediatric patients diagnosed with Cockayne syndrome (CS) and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. Two female pediatric patients with CS type I underwent either bilateral or unilateral cochlear implantation. Visual reinforcement audiometry (VRA) and postoperative cochlear implant tolerance were the main outcome measures. Patient 1 demonstrated notable improvements in VRA results and school performance following bilateral implantation. Patient 2 experienced enhanced quality of life and environmental awareness post-unilateral implantation, despite a lack of objective VRA results due to developmental delay. The study underscores the benefits of cochlear implantation in CS patients, especially in patients who are post-lingual or with better cognitive function.

Complications of bone-conduction hearing implants (BCHI) implantation surgery.

PURPOSE: Bone-conduction Hearing Implants (BCHIs) are surgically implanted hearing devices. As the implantation surgery involves soft tissue dissection through periosteum and drilling of skull, complications related to the skin and soft tissue remain common despite several modifications of surgical techniques over the years. This study aims to evaluate a single centre's BCHI implantation complication rates over time, identify the effects of surgical modifications, and compare these to data from the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective case review was performed on all patients who received BCHI implantation from 2013 to 2018. 11 complication rates over time were recorded. Changes to practice occurring during the study period were also recorded and their effects on complication rates were identified. A literature search was performed to identify the complication rates reported in the literature and compared with that of our cohort. RESULTS: 162 BCHI implantations were performed over the 5 years. 23 articles were included in the study after the literature review process. In our cohort, complications related to skin and soft tissue were most common, which was in line with that reported in the literature. Complication rates have overall decreased following the introduction of innovative practices, including adoption of minimally-invasive single-stage procedures and the training of specialist nurses. CONCLUSIONS: In this study we have highlighted the changes in complication rates of BCHI implantation over time at a single centre with reference to changes in clinical practice. Continued review of practice and on-going technological developments will facilitate continued reductions in complications of BCHI surgery.

Are Cervical Collars a Necessary Postprocedure Restriction in Patients With Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo Treated With Particle Repositioning Maneuvers?

INTRODUCTION: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is managed with particle repositioning maneuvers (PRM), following which patients are advised of activity restrictions to prevent recurrence. This can include wearing a cervical collar. OBJECTIVE: Does the use of BPPV postprocedure restriction with a cervical collar impact on the number of PRMs required to resolve a patient's symptoms? METHOD: Combination of retrospective and prospective review of 624 patients treated in a tertiary UK hospital. All were diagnosed with posterior canal BPPV and received a modified Epley maneuver (PRM). The "with cervical collar" (WC) retrospective group 2002 to 2009 (n = 263) were advised to wear a cervical collar for 48 hours postprocedure, and the "no cervical collar" (NC) prospective group 2010 to 2014 (n = 361) were not. The main outcome measure was the resolution of patient symptoms following a PRM for BPPV. Quantitative and statistical analysis using χ test was undertaken. RESULTS: In the WC group, 84% (n = 221) had resolution of symptoms after the first PRM, versus 82.8% (n = 299) in the NC group. After the second PRM 11% (n = 29) resolved, versus 13.6% (n = 49) in the NC group. After the third PRM 4.9% (n = 13) resolved, versus 3.6% (n = 13) in the NC group. Both clinically and statistically there was no significant difference in outcome between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our review of 624 patients is the largest study in this subject and the results demonstrate that wearing a cervical collar following PRM for BPPV concedes no significant benefit. Excluding this from postprocedure guidance allows patients to manage without the inconvenience of wearing a cervical collar, and allows departments to update clinical guidance.

Myringotomy and ventilation tube insertion with minims tetracaine drops.

We present a novel and safe technique for insertion of ventilation tubes under local anaesthetic which we feel improves the patient's experience and shortens the overall procedural time.

Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials: review.

BACKGROUND: Disorders of balance often pose a diagnostic conundrum for clinicians, and a multitude of investigations have emerged over the years. Vestibular evoked myogenic potential testing is a diagnostic tool which can be used to assess vestibular function. Over recent years, extensive study has begun to establish a broader clinical role for vestibular evoked myogenic potential testing. OBJECTIVES: To provide an overview of vestibular evoked myogenic potential testing, and to present the evidence for its clinical application. REVIEW TYPE: Structured literature search according to evidence-based medicine guidelines, performed between November 2008 and April 2009. No restrictions were applied to the dates searched. CONCLUSION: The benefits of vestibular evoked myogenic potential testing have already been established as regards the diagnosis and monitoring of several clinical conditions. Researchers continue to delve deeper into potential new clinical applications, with early results suggesting promising future developments.

Dacryocystitis presenting as post-septal cellulitis: a case report.

Dacryocystitis is relatively common, the majority of patients present with pre-septal cellulitis and not an orbital abscess due to anatomical barriers. The authors report a case of dacryocystitis presenting as post-septal cellulitis in a postmenopausal lady with an underlying malignancy. Following antibiotic therapy and elective dacryocystorhinostomy the patient is still under follow-up, and has no further recurrence of symptoms. Orbital abscess in postmenopausal women presenting with dacryocystitis should be considered, as prompt recognition and early surgical intervention is required to prevent visual loss.

Audiometric outcomes of tympanoplasty with hydroxylapatite prosthesis: consultant versus trainees.

OBJECTIVE: To assess and compare the audiometric outcomes and surgical complication rates of tympanoplasty with hydroxylapatite (HA) prostheses performed by a single consultant and advanced trainees. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective case review was undertaken. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: One hundred eighteen cases of primary and revision tympanoplasty were included in the study performed during a 6-year period. INTERVENTION: Tympanoplasty with HA prosthesis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Preoperative and postoperative audiometric data were compared for both the consultant and trainee groups. Details of the surgical procedure and operative complications were also recorded. RESULTS: Fifty-eight procedures were performed by the consultant and 60 operations were performed by trainees. The average improvement in air-bone gap (ABG) for consultants was 14.8 dB, with a 95% confidence interval (10.4, 19.2) (paired t test; test statistic: t=6.80, 57 df, p<0.01), whereas for trainees, the average improvement in ABG was 7.8 dB, with a 95% confidence interval (4.1, 11.6) (paired t test; test statistic: t=4.19, 59 df, p<0.01). The difference of 7.0 dB in mean ABG between the 2 groups was significant (two-sample t test; test statistic: t=2.44, 116 df, p=0.02). There was no significant difference in the surgical procedure or in the number of revision operations performed by the consultant or trainees. Surgical complication rates were comparable for the two groups. CONCLUSION: In this series, the consultant achieved a significantly better closure in ABG than trainees for tympanoplasty with HA prostheses.

Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma of a cervical lymph node: case report and review of the literature.

Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma is a rare tumor that occurs mainly in lymph nodes. We report a case of follicular dendritic cell sarcoma in a cervical lymph node that was initially diagnosed as a B-cell lymphoma by Tru-Cut biopsy. The correct diagnosis was established by excision biopsy and immunohistochemistry. This tumor is of interest to head and neck surgeons because its recurrence rate is significant and its metastatic potential has been underestimated because of its rarity and the difficulty in making the diagnosis. We discuss the salient clinical and pathologic features of this tumor, as well as its management protocol, and we review the literature.