Ototoxicity in Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Therapy.

<b><br>Introduction:</b> Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and T-cell therapies are a modern, well-established cancer treatment. The priority of oncological treatment is to cure cancer. However, treatment-related toxicities, i.e. immune-related adverse events (irAEs), continue to emerge and are not that well understood yet. ICIs can cause profound, multiple, and diverse irAEs - the sequelae of unknown mechanisms. One of the organs susceptible to collateral damage is the hearing organ. Complications related to hearing, tinnitus, and balance disorders are extremely burdensome and significantly impair many aspects of the quality of life of patients and survivors.</br> <b><br>Aim:</b> The aim of the work is to review the literature in the area of ototoxicity of ICIs.</br> <b><br>Materials and method:</b> A systematic search of the Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase databases for studies published until 1 March 2022 was conducted.</br> <b><br>Results:</b> Reported clinical symptoms ranged from sudden bilateral hearing loss and imbalance to mild hearing loss or tinnitus with preserved hearing. It was found that the median time from ICI initiation to hearing loss development was 3 months. The hearing impairment was secondary to bilateral sensorineural hearing loss in the majority of patients (>60%), and at least one other irAE accompanied the hearing loss in 2/3 of patients. Hearing loss significantly improved in 45.7% of the patients.</br> <b><br>Conclusions:</b> The majority of cases of ICI-related hearing loss presented in the literature were reversible. Therefore, it is important to develop and implement routine therapeutic algorithms. Further research is needed to define the true prevalence of ICI-related hearing loss, optimal diagnostics, and management.</br>.

Effect of Neonatal Hearing Screening Results on the Lost to Follow-Up at the Diagnostic Level.

(1) Background: An important part of any neonatal hearing screening program is monitoring diagnostic visits to confirm or exclude the presence of hearing loss. In addition, time plays an important role in the diagnosis. We identified the number of children who came for a diagnostic visit and analyzed the time of the first audiological visit, depending on the result of the hearing screening test performed in the first days of a child's life and the presence or absence of risk factors of hearing impairment. (2) Methods: We analyzed 6,580,524 children, of which 8.9% required further diagnostics. The mean time of follow-up diagnostic visit in the analyzed group was 130 days and differed due to the presence or absence of risk factors for hearing loss before and after the neonatal period. (3) Results: Although the risk of hearing loss in children with risk factors is 2.31 to 6.38 times higher than in children without risk factors depending on the result of the screening test, more than 40% of parents do not report to scheduled audiological visits. (4) Conclusions: Doctors, nurses, and midwives who screen hearing at the neonatological level play an important role in educating parents about the possibility of hearing loss in a child and the need for an audiological examination.

Robot-assisted cochlear implantation via a modified pericanal approach.

<b><br>Aim:</b> The aim of this study was to present the case with a difficult anatomy of the middle ear, in which robot-assisted cochlear implantation via a modified pericanal approach was performed.</br> <b><br>Case report:</b> The patient, a a 63-year-old male, had passed the typical procedure of qualifying for a cochlear implant at our center. However, the preoperative CT of the temporal bones showed a very anterior position of the sigmoid sinus and a very low position of the middle fossa dura in the right ear qualified for cochlear implantation. For this reason, the pericanal approach described by Häusler was chosen. The surgery was performed with the use of a surgical robot - the RobOtol (Collin, Bagneux, France) and the approach was slightly modified. The whole procedure was described in detail in the manuscript. Postoperative CT of the temporal bones confirmed the proper intracochlear position of the electrode array. Both surgery and healing were uneventful.</br> <b><br>Conclusions:</b> The RobOtol surgical robot allows for the correct and safe insertion of the cochlear implant electrode array in patients with unusual anatomical conditions and approach to the cochlea.</br>.

Robot-Assisted Electrode Insertion in Cochlear Implantation Controlled by Intraoperative Electrocochleography-A Pilot Study.

Robotics in otology has been developing in many directions for more than two decades. Current clinical trials focus on more accurate stapes surgery, minimally invasive access to the cochlea and less traumatic insertion of cochlear implant (CI) electrode arrays. In this study we evaluated the use of the RobOtol® (Collin, Bagneux, France) otologic robot to insert CI electrodes into the inner ear with intraoperative ECochG analysis. This prospective, pilot study included two adult patients implanted with Advanced Bionics (Westinghouse PI, CA, USA) cochlear implant, with HiFocus™ Mid-Scala electrode array. The standard surgical approach was used. For both subjects, who had residual hearing in the implanted ear, intraoperative and postoperative ECochG was performed with the AIMTM system. The surgeries were uneventful. A credible ECochG response was obtained after complete electrode insertion in both cases. Preoperative BC thresholds compared to intraoperative estimated ECochG thresholds and 2-day postoperative BC thresholds had similar values at frequencies where all thresholds were measurable. The results of the ECochG performed one month after the surgery showed that in both patients the hearing residues were preserved for the selected frequencies. The RobOtol® surgical robot allows for the correct, safe and gentle insertion of the cochlear implant electrode inside the cochlea. The use of electrocochleography measurements during robotic cochlear implantation offers an additional opportunity to evaluate and modify the electrode array insertion on an ongoing basis, which may contribute to the preservation of residual hearing.

The impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on the functioning of the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program in Poland.

The Newborn Hearing Screening Program has existed in Poland for almost 20 years. However, for the first time in the history of his activity, he had to deal with large logistic and staffing problems. The analysis compared the years 2020 and 2021 in terms of the functioning of centers that conduct audiological diagnostics of the Program during the Covid-19 pandemic. In order to obtain relevant information, a telephone survey was conducted at the beginning of 2022 with questions about the performance of standard activities related to the Program. Results In 2020, 60 centers conducting audiological diagnostics (66.67%) were suspended, and 30 were working under the sanitary and epidemiological regime (33.33%). In 2021, only 5 (5.26%) diagnostic centers with their headquarters in facilities transformed into so-called homonymous hospitals, dealing only with the treatment of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus, were suspended. Discussion The development of the pandemic and the related limitations around the world had a significant impact on the quality and scope of medical services provided. Many hospitals were quickly transformed into closed centers treating only patients with SARS-CoV-2. Audiological consultations take place in closed, soundproof rooms. Face-to-face contact was required for hearing assessment, fitting hearing aids, troubleshooting, and rehabilitation. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced audiology to modify existing practices. The use of telemedicine was increasingly preferred. In Poland, as all over the world, the scope of remote consultations has expanded, but due to technological and hardware limitations, audiological procedures remained in the sphere of direct contact with the patient. Conclusions In the first year after the announcement of the pandemic, significant difficulties were observed in the functioning of centers dealing with the diagnosis of children with suspected hearing loss. The appearance of the SARS-CoV-2 virus forced us to develop innovative methods of early diagnosis and treatment of children with hearing impairment, which resulted in the stabilization of the work of individuals in the following year.

Intracranial otogenic complications in adults: new factors that influenced its onset, frequency and nature.

BACKGROUND: To compare the clinical features of two time cohorts of patients: "pre-COVID-19" and "COVID-19"-admitted as emergency with intracranial otogenic complications, with special regard to sigmoid sinus thrombosis (CVST). METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patients documentation concerning urgent procedures of intracranial otogenic complications at tertiary-referral otolaryngology department. Analysed database-pre-COVID-19 cohort (January-February 2019/2020): 1434 otological outpatient visits, 509 planned otosurgeries and 17 urgent otological procedures; COVID-19 cohort (March-April 2020/2021): 1150, 566 and 20 respectively. Overall intracranial complications: 5 and 9 respectively. Analysed outcome measures: incidence proportion of otogenic intracranial complications in relation to planned and urgent otosurgical procedures; incidence proportion of intracranial complications in relation to the total number of emergency and planned outpatient consultations and the total number of planned surgical procedures. RESULTS: There were 14 intracranial complications, 5 in the pre-COVID and 9 in the COVID cohort, including 1 and 5 sigmoid sinus thrombosis, respectively. Out of them, 3 and 5 patients reported a prior history of chronic otitis media, respectively. In COVID period, CVST was more prevalent, with 2 cases (22.2%) presenting solitary CVST, and 3 cases (33.3%) CVST and a simultaneous brain abscess or meningitis. CVST was much more frequent in the COVID period (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the published data which suggest that CVST is a rare event associated with COVID-19 infection, based on our experience, CVST can be expected as a frequent component of intracranial otogenic complications during COVID-19 pandemic time. Trial registration This research study was conducted retrospectively from data obtained for clinical purposes. We consulted extensively with the Bioethics Committee at Poznan University of Medical Sciences who determined that our study did not need ethical approval. An official waiver of ethical approval was granted from the Bioethics Committee at Poznan University of Medical Sciences.

Hearing Impairment in Infants with Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Treated with Hypothermia.

Therapeutic hypothermia acts as the standard of care for infants with moderate to severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). A proportion of neonates who undergo hypothermia due to HIE have shown to develop various degrees of hearing impairment. Analyzing and identifying infants at high risk of developing hearing difficulties is fundamental for early intervention of such auditory complications. The aim was to assess clinical factors in the development of hearing impairment following therapeutic hypothermia in HIE infants. A retrospective analysis was performed on infants hospitalized in our neonatology department in Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland. All infants experienced moderate to severe HIE, and were treated with therapeutic hypothermia. Risk factors for hearing impairment were identified in all infants included in the study. Clinical data during hospital stay and follow-up hearing status were analyzed. A total of 87 HIE infants were included in the study. Seventy-six infants (40 male and 36 female) had otoacoustic emission (OAE) examination following birth, of which 14 (18.4%) demonstrated abnormal (positive) results. Infants with abnormal OAE results had significantly lower blood pH (6.86 ± 0.16, p = 0.001) and base excess (BE) (-22.46 ± 2.59, p = 0.006). Of the 49 infants who returned for follow-up assessment, 4 (8.2%) were diagnosed with sensorineural bilateral hearing impairment (1 infant, mild [<40 dB], 2 moderate [41-70 dB], and 1 profound [>90 dB]). The biochemical analysis following birth revealed significantly lower umbilical BE levels (-23.90 ± 4.99, p = 0.041) and higher lactate levels (160.67 ± 4.93, p = 0.019) in the infants with eventual sensorineural hearing deficit. Infants with moderate or severe HIE are at risk of delayed onset hearing loss. Diligent efforts to monitor auditory status are required, even if early screening results for hearing are insignificant. Exploring biochemical parameters, such as lactate, BE, and blood pH, can prove beneficial in identifying HIE infants at risk of developing a hearing impairment.

Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma-20 years of experience in endoscopic treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma is a rare, benign tumor; however, it shows local aggression and leads to profuse nosebleeds. <br/>Aim: The aim of the study is to present 20 years of experience in endoscopic treatment of this tumor. <br/>Material and methods: The material covers 71 patients treated in the years 1985-2019 at the Department of Otolaryngology and Laryngological Oncology in Poznan. In these patients, either the classic external approach, or the double approach - external with the use of endoscopes, or only the endoscopic approach was used. In the entire population, external surgeries were performed in 37 patients, double access in 8 and endoscopic access in 26 patients. <br/>Results: Complete resection of the tumor was achieved in 51 patients (72%). The remaining 20 patients (28%) had a residual or recurrent tumor and all of these patients underwent reoperation.<br/> Conclusions: The endoscopic approach with the use of various optics and navigation allows for the removal of not only small tumors but also much more advanced ones. Pre-operative evaluation of imaging results is extremely important to avoid incomplete tumor removal. Individual development of an operating strategy, a wide range of optics and various surgical methods, and especially endoscopic ones, are the guarantee of therapeutic success.

Otosurgery with the High-Definition Three-Dimensional (3D) Exoscope: Advantages and Disadvantages.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to describe our initial experience with the high-definition three-dimensional (3D) exoscope for middle ear surgery versus the operating microscope. METHODS: The study included 60 randomly chosen patients diagnosed with otosclerosis (n = 30) or chronic otitis media (n = 30) with a clinical indication for surgery. The primary measurement was the subjective estimation of quality of the visibility of the operating field provided by the 3D exoscope-VITOM-3D (Karl Storz, Tuttlingen, Germany) in comparison to the operating microscope. RESULTS: All procedures, except for two (3.3%) converted to the microscope, were successfully completed using a 3D exoscope. In both stapedotomy and tympanoplasty, the exoscope was superior to the microscope during more superficial portions of the procedures. By contrast, in deeper areas of the middle ear, the exoscope provided significantly worse visibility, but usually not suboptimal. Both intraoperative bleeding and the narrow surgical field substantially reduced the visibility with the 3D exoscope in comparison to the microscope. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our study shows that the 3D exoscope offers excellent, highly magnified, and well-illuminated high-definition images of the surgical field. However, our experience revealed several important limitations of this system, including decreased depth perception in deep areas of the tympanic cavity and reduced visibility in a difficult surgical field, with subsequent need to switch to an operating microscope in select cases.

Recommendations of the Main Board of the Polish Society of Otorhinolaryngologists, Head and Neck Surgeons for providing services during the COVID-19 pandemic for outpatient and hospital practices.

Recommendations of the Main Board of the Polish Society of Otorhinolaryngologists, Head and Neck Surgeons for providing services during the COVID-19 pandemic constitute the guidance to outpatient and hospital practices in all cases where contact with a patient whose status of COVID-19 is unknown. They have been created based on world publications and recommendations due to the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic. Justification for suspension of planned provision of services in the first phase of a pandemic was presented. The indication of the best medical practices for the time of stabilization, but with the persistence of the risk of COVID-19 infection in the population are discussed. The possibility of providing services in the following months of the pandemic is important. We provide the rationale for launching medical activities and indicate optimal practices until the consolidation of SARS COV-2 prevention and treatment methods.

Conductive hearing loss after surgical treatment of otosclerosis - long-term observations.

<b>Introduction:</b> For many years, surgical treatment of otosclerosis has been a widely accepted approach. Hearing improvement following stapes surgery is sometimes spectacular, and good treatment results are obtained in many centers in over 90% of patients. However, in the subsequent years after the treatment, some patients develop permanent or progressive conductive hearing loss. <br><b>Aim:</b> The aim of the study is to present a group of patients with conductive hearing loss after the first otosclerosis surgery and to analyze the causes of its occurrence. <br><b>Materials and Methods:</b> The retrospective review covered patients who underwent the initial surgery in the years 2000-2009. We analyzed the patients' medical records from before the end of 2019, which provided results of at least 10 years of postoperative follow-up. The group consisted of 1118 patients aged 14-82, including 802 women and 316 men.<br><b> Results:</b> Reoperations due to conductive hearing loss were performed on 93 patients, who accounted for 8.3% of the originally operated patients. They were much more common in patients after stapedectomies (19.7%) than in patients after stapedotomy (5.5%). Prosthesis dislocation was found to be the most frequent intraoperative observation (44.1%) and was often associated with erosion or necrosis of the long process of incus (28%). Less frequent reasons for hearing loss were: adhesions around the prosthesis (10.8%), too small hole in the stapes footplate (8.6%), too short prosthesis (8.6%), progression of otosclerosis (7.5%), too long prosthesis (6.4%), presence of a granuloma around the prosthesis (5.4 %), and displacement of incus (4.3%). <br>Conclusions:</b> Surgical treatment of otosclerosis is a widely accepted and good method. It allows to achieve an improvement in hearing in the vast majority of patients treated in this way. Unfortunately, over the years some patients develop recurrent conductive hearing loss. Reoperation creates an opportunity for finding the cause and improving hearing in the majority of cases.

Follow-up on the diagnostic level of children covered by the Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening Program in Poland, divided into voivodships.

INTRODUCTION: Thanks to the Polish Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening Program (PUNHSP), all newborns in Poland undergo a free, screening hearing examination. Between 2006 and 2015, the average number of tested children per year was 373,477. According to the analysis of The Central Database (CDB), only 55.8% of the children attended the detailed hearing examinations at the second level of the Program. AIM: The aim of this study is to analyse the dates concerning the attendance of the children at the diagnostic level of PUNHSP in different regions of Poland. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To conduct an analysis of this fact and find out the reasons for low attendance at the second level in 2015, a telephone survey questionnaire was developed for parents who had not registered their babies for further consultation - 3,239 randomly selected parents. RESULTS: The analysis revealed that the number of children examined at the second diagnostic level of the program is in fact much higher than the results of The Central Database show. The actual number is 83.6% as opposed to 55.8%. As a result of the telephone questionnaire some inaccuracies in the input data to the CDB were detected. The main errors in gathering the information for the CDB were incorrect OAE test result and no examination performed. C onclusion: In Poland the worst results (i.e. questionnaire results compared to CDB) for the attendance at the diagnostic level were shown in Pomorskie, Lubelskie, Mazowieckie and Podlaskie regions. In many cases there was a large discrepancy between the reality and the information in the CDB. The improvement of clarity concerning the CDB application is important in order to minimise the possibility of malformation in the CDB.

Current indications for cochlear implantation in adults and children.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical treatment of deafness by cochlear implants is used for more than 40 years, and during this period permanently, gradual and significant expansion of indications for this surgery has been observed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In our Department in the years 1994-2018 1480 cochlear implantations were performed, both in adults (647) and in children (883). In this study current indications and the rules for eligibility of patients based on 25 years of experience are presented. RESULTS: Indications for cochlear implantation in adults are: 1) bilateral postlingual deafness, 2) bilateral sensorineural hearing loss - in pure tone audiometry > 70 dB HL (average 500-4000 Hz) and in speech audiometry in hearing aids understanding < 50% of words for the intensity of the stimulus 65 dB, in the absence of the benefits of hearing aids, 3) bilateral profound hearing loss for high frequency with good hearing for low frequency, in the absence of the benefits of hearing aids, 4) some cases of asymmetric hearing loss with intensive tinnitus in the deaf ear. An indication in children is bilateral sensorineural hearing loss > 80dB HL confirmed by hearing tests, after about 6 months of rehabilitation with the use of hearing aids. DISCUSSION: Although cochlear implantation is used for more than 40 years, the indications for this treatment underlies constant modifications. They concern the age of eligible patients, implantation in patients with partially preserved hearing, as well as treatment for patients with difficult anatomical conditions. In many countries, bilateral implantations are commonly performed, and more and more centers recommend this treatment in the case of unilateral deafness or asymmetric hearing loss, especially with the accompanying tinnitus in the deaf ear.

ELS live surgery: a developing story.

INTRODUCTION: Since 2015, the European Laryngological Society (ELS) has organized on a yearly basis the European Laryngological Live Surgery Broadcast. The goal of this paper is to demonstrate the increasing worldwide audience. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The number of individual computers logged in, number of estimated audience, and number of countries with an active audience were calculated and compared to the numbers in 2015. RESULTS: In 2018, 19 live interventions were performed in three parallel sessions. The surgeons worked in 10 departments in 8 different countries. The number of individual computers logged in increased from 1000 in 2015 to 16000 in 2018. The estimated audience increased from 3000 to 32000 visitors. The number of countries with an active audience increased from 52 to 91. DISCUSSION: The amount of computers logged in is increasing year by year. The audience was presenting despite inconvenient broadcasting times, highlighting the educational importance. The teaching aspect remains visible on videos of this year's and previous year's interventions. They can be seen on website http://els.livesurgery.net/home.php . The organization of the European Laryngological Live Surgery Broadcast concurs to the idea that live broadcast of laryngologic surgery is feasible and attractive. Therefore, the ELS is going to continue to organize additional European Laryngological Live Surgery Broadcasts in the future.

Analysis of the changes in the Polish Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening Program over 15 years of activity.

INTRODUCTION: One of the examples of a nationwide pro-health program in Poland is the Polish Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening Program (PUNHSP). The Program is aimed at early diagnosis and intervention in children with hearing impairments and it is an example of a well-managed program. Presenting the results of the PUNHSP activity as well as organizational aspects and own experience can significantly help institutions managing other programs to achieve high efficiency in their functioning. The aim of this work is a detailed analysis of the Program evaluation during the 15 years of its activity, i.e. the identification of changes and the consequences of their introduction in the perspective of improving quality and efficiency. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The material is PUNHSP data, registered in the Central Database of the Program and organizational information related to management, IT support and PUNHSP infrastructure. The analysis was based on quality assessment parameters (identification of changes and the purpose of their introduction) and effectiveness (consequences of introducing changes). The analysis concerns the whole period of PUNHSP activity - from 2002 to 2017. RESULTS: As a result of the analysis, 13 main modifications of the Program were identified as the "change" criteria and 11 smaller ones - side ones resulting from the necessity to adapt the PUNHSP functionality to current needs. The changes were grouped into five categories: legal, administrative, management, audit and control, as well as IT, changes. DISCUSSION: When analyzing the PUNHSP evaluation, it can be assumed that the changes introduced positively influenced the various aspects of the PUNHSP activity, but do not exhaust the possibilities of further optimization of its activity. CONCLUSIONS: The Program requires constant development in order to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of its operation, and the solutions used in it could be a stimulus to improve and create other pro-health programs.

Simultaneous treatment of intracranial complications of paranasal sinusitis.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to analyse 51 patients with intracranial complications of sinusitis treated in the Department of Otolaryngology and Laryngeal Oncology at Poznan University of Medical Sciences from 1964 to 2016. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Males made up a significant portion of study participants at 70.5%. Treatment included simultaneous removal of inflammatory focal points in the paranasal sinuses and drainage of cerebral and epidural abscesses and subdural empyemas under the control of neuronavigation preceded by the implementation of broad-spectrum antibiotics continuously for 4 weeks. Seventy-three intracranial complications were found among 51 patients. Of the 51 patients, 25 had frontal lobe abscesses (including multiple abscesses). Other complications included the following: 16 epidural abscesses, 9 subdural empyemas, 15 meningitis cases, 3 intracerebral abscesses, 3 sinus thrombosis cases and 2 patients with cerebritis. Co-occurrence of these complications worsened the state of the patient and increased the duration of treatment. Patients with frontal lobe abscesses had a better prognosis and less pronounced neurological symptoms in recent years versus earlier treatment approaches. CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous treatment of intracranial complications of sinusitis is an effective treatment method that has minimal burden for the patient. From 1964 to 1978, three deaths (17%) were reported among patients with these complications. Since 1978, no deaths were reported in the clinic.

The report of the Polish Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening Program in 2016.

The Polish Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening Program (PUNHSP) has been carried out in Poland for 14 years. The main aim of this Program is to organize hearing screening tests and to gather the information about risk factors of hearing loss in almost all newborns in Poland. It consists of 496 centers at 3 referral levels. A total of 5 458 114 children had been registered in the Central Database (CDB) of PUNHSP by the 22nd of August 2017. Bilateral sensorineural hearing loss was the most frequently appearing hearing impairment in children. It was diagnosed in 260 cases in 2016. This report presents the most important results and conclusions concerning the running of the PUNHSP in 2016.

Sensorineural and conductive hearing loss in infants diagnosed in the program of universal newborn hearing screening.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze infants diagnosed with sensorineural or conductive hearing deficit and to identify risk factors associated with these defects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of infants diagnosed with hearing deficit based on the database of the universal newborn hearing screening program and medical records of the patients. RESULTS: 27 935 infants were covered by the universal neonatal hearing screening program. 109 (0.39%) were diagnosed with hearing deficit and referred for treatment and rehabilitation. 56 (51.4%) children were diagnosed with conductive, 38 (34.9%) with sensorineural and 15 (13.8%) with mixed type of hearing deficit. Children with sensorineural hearing deficit more frequently suffered from hyperbilirubinemia (p < 0.05), while infants with conductive hearing loss were more frequently diagnosed with isolated craniofacial anomalies (p < 0.05). The prevalence of other risk factors did not differ between the groups. Sensorineural hearing deficit occurred almost 3 times more often bilaterally than unilaterally (p < 0.05). In other types of hearing deficit, the difference was not significant. In children with conductive and mixed type of hearing loss the impairment was mainly mild while among those with sensorineural hearing deficit in almost 45% it was severe and profound (p < 0.05). When analyzing the consistency between hearing screening test by means of otoacoustic emissions and the final diagnosis of hearing deficit we found that the highest agreement rate was observed in children with sensorineural hearing loss (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of most risk factors of hearing deficit was similar in children with sensorineural, conductive and mixed type of hearing loss, only hyperbilirubinemia seemed to predispose to sensorineural hearing deficit and isolated craniofacial malformations seemed to be associated with conductive hearing loss. Sensorineural hearing deficit usually occurred bilaterally and was severe or profound, while conductive and mixed type of hearing deficit were most often of mild degree. Most children with the final diagnosis of sensorineural hearing deficit had positive result of hearing screening by means of otoacoustic emissions.

Middle Fossa Approach for Cochlear Implantation.

OBJECTIVE: To present qualification criteria, surgery, and results of cochlear implantation via the middle fossa approach. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of medical charts of patients. SETTING: Cochlear implant program in academic medical center. PATIENTS: Six adults after middle ear surgery due to chronic otitis media with bilateral deafness or profound hearing loss. INTERVENTION: Analysis aimed to identify patients qualified for cochlear implantation via middle fossa approach and to present surgery and result. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Qualification criteria, details of surgery and surgical, functional and audiological results. RESULTS: Surgery was completed in four patients and in the remaining two it was stopped because of adhesions and bleeding from the dura. In three patients, there were no postoperative complications and in one individual intracranial hematoma occurred. Postoperative computed tomography showed the intracochlear position of the electrode in all the implanted patients. All of the patients use their implant for 14 to 16 hours daily. One year after the implantation, they had hearing thresholds in the sound-free field of between 25 and 45 dB sound pressure level, number recognition scores between 80 and 100% and monosyllabic words recognition between 30 and 90%. CONCLUSION: Successful cochlear implantation via middle fossa approach results in satisfactory hearing, bringing deaf people into a hearing environment. However, this approach is technically difficult and provides the risk of intracranial complications. In our opinion this approach should be used in special cases only (e.g., postmeningitis or otosclerotis patients with obliteration of basal turn of cochlea). In analysed group it should not be considered the primary solution.