Alternative Inverted Middle Fossa Approach in Bonebridge Surgery. Technique, Results and Complications

Abstract Introduction The transmastoid approach is the most recommended technique to Bonebridge surgery, while in patients with bad anatomy or in the canal wall down technique, retrosigmoid or Middle Fossa Approaches are the alternative surgical options. Objective To describe a novel alternative approach called inverted middle fossa approach (IMFA) and its technique and audiological outcomes. Methods Seven patients submitted to the IMFA were included. All patients presented conductive and mixed hearing loss with bone thresholds of the audiogram > 40 dB. The audiological test was conducted pre- and postoperatively. Results A total of 5 males and 2 females, aged 13,8 years old (range 6-25 years old) were studied. The average follow-up was of 20 months (12 to 32 months). All patients presented aural atresia, except one with severe osseous-fibrous dysplasia of the temporal bone. Two patients showed bilateral compromise, three patients had associated Goldenhar and Treacher Collins syndrome. On the preoperative audiograms, air conduction (AC) thresholds showed a PTA4 (0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz) of 66.7 dB (standard deviation [SD] = ± 7.8), while the bone conduction thresholds reached an average of 11.2 dB (SD = ± 6.9). The postoperative thresholds did not change, and additional sensorineural damage was not observed before activation. Four weeks after surgery, all the patients were fitted with the external processor. The postoperative audiological aided exam showed AC PTA 4 thresholds of 18.9 dB (SD = ± 5.9). Conclusion The IMFA allows the nearest position of the microphone to the external auditory canal. The technique is a suitable option to the 3 classical approaches with similar rate of audiological results. More investigation is needed to determine the benefit of the novel approach compared with the others.

Alternative Inverted Middle Fossa Approach in Bonebridge Surgery. Technique, Results and Complications.

Introduction The transmastoid approach is the most recommended technique to Bonebridge surgery, while in patients with bad anatomy or in the canal wall down technique, retrosigmoid or Middle Fossa Approaches are the alternative surgical options. Objective To describe a novel alternative approach called inverted middle fossa approach (IMFA) and its technique and audiological outcomes. Methods Seven patients submitted to the IMFA were included. All patients presented conductive and mixed hearing loss with bone thresholds of the audiogram > 40 dB. The audiological test was conducted pre- and postoperatively. Results A total of 5 males and 2 females, aged 13,8 years old (range 6-25 years old) were studied. The average follow-up was of 20 months (12 to 32 months). All patients presented aural atresia, except one with severe osseous-fibrous dysplasia of the temporal bone. Two patients showed bilateral compromise, three patients had associated Goldenhar and Treacher Collins syndrome. On the preoperative audiograms, air conduction (AC) thresholds showed a PTA4 (0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz) of 66.7 dB (standard deviation [SD] = ± 7.8), while the bone conduction thresholds reached an average of 11.2 dB (SD = ± 6.9). The postoperative thresholds did not change, and additional sensorineural damage was not observed before activation. Four weeks after surgery, all the patients were fitted with the external processor. The postoperative audiological aided exam showed AC PTA 4 thresholds of 18.9 dB (SD = ± 5.9). Conclusion The IMFA allows the nearest position of the microphone to the external auditory canal. The technique is a suitable option to the 3 classical approaches with similar rate of audiological results. More investigation is needed to determine the benefit of the novel approach compared with the others.

One-Year Follow-Up in Children with Conductive Hearing Loss Using ADHEAR.

BACKGROUND: The ADHEAR™ system (MED-EL, Innsbruck, Austria) is a nonsurgical bone conduction device (BCD) to treat conductive hearing loss (CHL) and single-sided deafness. In contrast to the nonsurgical alternatives on headbands or spectacle frames, the audio processor of ADHEAR is placed retroauricularly on an adhesive adapter. The published evidence on the performance of this system is limited to studies with a trial period of 2-8 weeks. OBJECTIVE: This study assesses audiological and subjective outcomes over a period of 12 months, on patients with congenital aural atresia (CAA) using the ADHEAR hearing system. METHOD: Fifteen children (mean age: 9.4 ± 4 years; range: 5-16 years) diagnosed with CAA (7 uni/8 bilateral) were included in this prospective, observational, repeated-measures study. Each subject used ADHEAR for 1 year, and the performance was evaluated after 1, 6, and 12 months. Free-field audiometry and speech discrimination tests were performed, and hearing-, general health- and device-specific questionnaires were used. RESULTS: The unaided sound field threshold improved from an average PTA4 of 63.6 ± 3.4 dB HL to an aided average PTA4 of 29.3 ± 3.0 dB HL after 1 month of device use. The word recognition score (WRS) improved from an average of 27.9 ± 15.9% unaided to an aided average WRS of 91.3 ± 4.4% (p = 0.0003) after 1 month, 92.0 ± 4.1% (p = 0.0002) after 6 months, and 92.7 ± 5.3% (p < 0.0001) after 12 months using the ADHEAR system compared to the unaided condition for all 3 time points. The improvements in the speech in noise at 1, 6, and 12 months were as well consistent over time. The average improvement at the signal to noise ratio (SNR) of +5 dB was 58% and 53% at the SNR of +0 dB. No complications were reported, and all patients continued to use the ADHEAR after the study end. The questionnaire results revealed high user satisfaction and an average wearing time of 12 h per day. CONCLUSION: This 12-month trial of the nonsurgical adhesive BCD in CAA patients showed sufficient and reliable audiological and subjective outcomes, long wearing time, and high acceptance. The ADHEAR can be considered a suitable option to treat children with CAA for the given indication, without the drawbacks of nonsurgical devices that use pressure for retention of the audio processor or the costs and possible complications involved with a surgical alternative.

Otitis media with effusion and atopy: is there a causal relationship?

Otitis Media with Effusion (OME) is an inflammatory condition of the middle ear cleft, acute or chronic, with collection of fluid in the middle ear with an intact tympanic membrane. It is a very common disease in childhood, the most frequent cause of hearing loss in childhood and often requiring surgery. OME is called chronic when the fluid in the middle ear persists for more than three months or when the episodes recur six or more times in one year. The current article covers various aspects of OME including definition, epidemiology. Pathomechanisms, risk factors, role of allergy in OME, impact of upper airway disease on OME, eosinophilic otitis media and management of OME.

[ARIA 2016 executive summary: Integrated care pathways for predictive medicine throughout the life cycle in Argentina]. / Resumen ejecutivo de ARIA 2016: vías integradas de atención para la medicina predictiva a lo largo del ciclo de vida en Argentina.

The ARIA initiative was started during a World Health Organization workshop in 1999. The initial goals were to propose a new classification for allergic rhinitis, to promote the concept of multi-morbidity in asthma and rhinitis and to develop guidelines with stakeholders for world-wide use. ARIA is now focused on the implementation of emerging technologies for individualized and predictive medicine. MASK: MACVIA-Aria Sentinel Network uses mobile technology to develop care pathways that enable management by a multidisciplinary group or by patients themselves. An App for iOS and Android uses a visual analogue scale to assess symptom control and work productivity, as well as a clinical decision support system; it is associated with an interoperable tablet for health professionals. The escalation strategy uses recommendations of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing. The aim of ARIA's new approach is to provide an active and healthy life to people affected by rhinitis, regardless of age, gender or socioeconomic status, in order to reduce social and health inequalities caused by the disease.

La iniciativa ARIA (Rinitis Alérgica y su Impacto en el Asma) se inició durante un taller de la Organización Mundial de la Salud en 1999. Los objetivos iniciales fueron proponer una nueva clasificación de rinitis alérgica, promover el concepto de multimorbilidad en asma y rinitis y desarrollar guías con todas las partes interesadas para su en todos los países y poblaciones. ARIA, difundida e implementada en más de 70 naciones, ahora se centra en la implementación de tecnologías emergentes para la medicina individualizada y predictiva. MASK (MACVIA [Contre les Maladies Chroniques pour un Vieillissement Actif] Aria Sentinel Network) utiliza la tecnología móvil para desarrollar vías de atención que permitan el manejo de la rinitis y del asma por un grupo multidisciplinario o por los propios pacientes. Una aplicación (app) para iOS y Android está disponible en 20 países y 15 idiomas; utiliza una escala analógica visual para evaluar el control de los síntomas y la productividad del trabajo, así como un sistema de apoyo para las decisiones clínicas. Se asocia con una tabla interoperable (que permite intercambiar información) para médicos y otros profesionales de la salud. La estrategia de escalamiento utiliza las recomendaciones de la Asociación Europea de Innovación para el Envejecimiento Activo y Saludable. El objetivo del nuevo enfoque ARIA es proporcionar una vida activa y saludable a las personas afectadas por la rinitis, cualquiera que sea su edad, sexo o condición socioeconómica, con el fin de reducir las desigualdades sociales y de salud causadas por la enfermedad.

Towards a Unified Testing Framework for Single-Sided Deafness Studies: A Consensus Paper.

BACKGROUND: While hearing aids for a contralateral routing of signals (CROS-HA) and bone conduction devices have been the traditional treatment for single-sided deafness (SSD) and asymmetric hearing loss (AHL), in recent years, cochlear implants (CIs) have increasingly become a viable treatment choice, particularly in countries where regulatory approval and reimbursement schemes are in place. Part of the reason for this shift is that the CI is the only device capable of restoring bilateral input to the auditory system and hence of possibly reinstating binaural hearing. Although several studies have independently shown that the CI is a safe and effective treatment for SSD and AHL, clinical outcome measures in those studies and across CI centers vary greatly. Only with a consistent use of defined and agreed-upon outcome measures across centers can high-level evidence be generated to assess the safety and efficacy of CIs and alternative treatments in recipients with SSD and AHL. METHODS: This paper presents a comparative study design and minimum outcome measures for the assessment of current treatment options in patients with SSD/AHL. The protocol was developed, discussed, and eventually agreed upon by expert panels that convened at the 2015 APSCI conference in Beijing, China, and at the CI 2016 conference in Toronto, Canada. RESULTS: A longitudinal study design comparing CROS-HA, BCD, and CI treatments is proposed. The recommended outcome measures include (1) speech in noise testing, using the same set of 3 spatial configurations to compare binaural benefits such as summation, squelch, and head shadow across devices; (2) localization testing, using stimuli that rove in both level and spectral content; (3) questionnaires to collect quality of life measures and the frequency of device use; and (4) questionnaires for assessing the impact of tinnitus before and after treatment, if applicable. CONCLUSION: A protocol for the assessment of treatment options and outcomes in recipients with SSD and AHL is presented. The proposed set of minimum outcome measures aims at harmonizing assessment methods across centers and thus at generating a growing body of high-level evidence for those treatment options.

Active Bone Conduction Prosthesis: BonebridgeTM

Introduction Bone conduction implants are indicated for patients with conductive and mixed hearing loss, as well as for patients with single-sided deafness (SSD). The transcutaneous technology avoids several complications of the percutaneous bone conduction implants including skin reaction, skin growth over the abutment, and wound infection. The Bonebridge (MED-EL, Austria) prosthesis is a semi-implantable hearing system: the BCI (Bone Conduction Implant) is the implantable part that contains the Bone Conduction-Floating Mass Transducer (BC-FMT), which applies the vibrations directly to the bone; the external component is the audio processor Amadé BB (MED-EL, Austria), which digitally processes the sound and sends the information through the coil to the internal part. Bonebridge may be implanted through three different approaches: the transmastoid, the retrosigmoid, or the middle fossa approach. Objective This systematic review aims to describe the world́ s first active bone conduction implant system, Bonebridge, as well as describe the surgical techniques in the three possible approaches, showing results from implant centers in the world in terms of functional gain, speech reception thresholds and word recognition scores. Data Synthesis The authors searched the MEDLINE database using the key term Bonebridge. They selected only five publications to include in this systematic review. The review analyzes 20 patients that received Bonebridge implants with different approaches and pathologies. Conclusion Bonebridge is a solution for patients with conductive/mixed hearing loss and SSD with different surgical approaches, depending on their anatomy. The system imparts fewer complications than percutaneous bone conduction implants and shows proven benefits in speech discrimination and functional gain.(AU)

Active Bone Conduction Prosthesis: Bonebridge(TM).

Introduction Bone conduction implants are indicated for patients with conductive and mixed hearing loss, as well as for patients with single-sided deafness (SSD). The transcutaneous technology avoids several complications of the percutaneous bone conduction implants including skin reaction, skin growth over the abutment, and wound infection. The Bonebridge (MED-EL, Austria) prosthesis is a semi-implantable hearing system: the BCI (Bone Conduction Implant) is the implantable part that contains the Bone Conduction-Floating Mass Transducer (BC-FMT), which applies the vibrations directly to the bone; the external component is the audio processor Amadé BB (MED-EL, Austria), which digitally processes the sound and sends the information through the coil to the internal part. Bonebridge may be implanted through three different approaches: the transmastoid, the retrosigmoid, or the middle fossa approach. Objective This systematic review aims to describe the world́s first active bone conduction implant system, Bonebridge, as well as describe the surgical techniques in the three possible approaches, showing results from implant centers in the world in terms of functional gain, speech reception thresholds and word recognition scores. Data Synthesis The authors searched the MEDLINE database using the key term Bonebridge. They selected only five publications to include in this systematic review. The review analyzes 20 patients that received Bonebridge implants with different approaches and pathologies. Conclusion Bonebridge is a solution for patients with conductive/mixed hearing loss and SSD with different surgical approaches, depending on their anatomy. The system imparts fewer complications than percutaneous bone conduction implants and shows proven benefits in speech discrimination and functional gain.

The international survey on the management of allergic rhinitis by physicians and patients (ISMAR).

Epidemiologic studies suggest that the prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) is rising worldwide. Several reports, in fact, indicate increasing trends in the prevalence of AR especially in developing countries, likely related to the environment and climate changes and the adoption of an urbanized Western lifestyle. The primary objective of the present study was to collect information about management in real-life settings, including a characterization of typical patients' profile referring to physicians, the disease features, the common approaches to diagnostic assessments and therapeutic decisions. This was an international, multicenter, cross-sectional study conducted in adults or children (≥6 years) suffering from rhinitis confirmed by physician's diagnosis for at least one year. The 234 physicians who participated in the study included a total of 2778 patients in Egypt, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Iran, Venezuela, Argentina, Israel, Kuwait and United Arab Emirates. It was found that clinical history was the selected tool to diagnose and categorize AR patients (97.1%), with less than half of patients undergoing allergy testing, may be explaining the scarce use of immunotherapy on management of disease. Out of 2776 patients, 93.4% had somehow received a recommendation to avoid allergens and irritant agent exposure. Notably, 91.4% were receiving at least one treatment at the time of the survey, mostly oral antihistamines (79.7%) and intranasal corticosteroids (66.3%). Oral antihistamines, intranasal steroids and decongestants were considered both safe and effective by patients and physicians, preferring oral and nasal route of administration. The ISMAR registry was designed according to the most accepted epidemiological recommendations, and provides interesting information regarding the management of rhinitis from a patient and physician points of view, with many similarities between the participating countries. Further efforts are required to better manage AR and its comorbidities.

Cambios olfatorios en pacientes con rinosinusitis crónica polipoidea tratados mediante cirugía endoscópica nasosinusal (CENS) / Olfactory changes in patients with chronic polypoid rhinosinusitis treated with functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) / Mudanças olfativas em pacientes com rinossinusite crônicapolipóide tratados mediante cirurgia endoscópica nasosinusal (Cens)

Introducción y objetivos: La poliposis nasal se encuentra presente en el 4% de la población general y entre el 25-30% de aquellos con rinosinusitis crónica. La presencia de pólipos nasales es un importante factor de riesgo para alteraciones en el olfato. Objetivo: establecer si existe mejoría del olfato en pacientes con poliposis nasal luego de ser intervenidos quirúrgicamente con cirugía endoscópica nasosinusal. Métodos: Se tomó una muestra de 20 pacientes con rinosinusitis crónica polipoidea tratados mediante cirugía oscópica nasosinusal por un mismo cirujano, con follow up a 30 días en los que se examinó el nivel de olfato pre y postoperatorio mediante el método del Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center. Se evaluó prequirúrgicamente el grado de poliposis mediante el score tomográfico de Lund McKay. Resultados: Aumento del puntaje de olfato en pacientes con poliposis nasal luego de la polipectomía con cirugía endoscópica nasosinusal (p<0,0001). Relación lineal entre el score tomográfico preoperatorio y el grado de mejoría del olfato (p<0,05). Conclusiones: Existe mejoría del olfato en paciente con rinosinusitis crónica polipoidea luego del tratamiento de esta patología con cirugía endoscópica nasosinusal. Se observó, también, que a mayor grado de poliposis preoperatoria, mayor es la mejoría del olfato postoperatorio.

Introduction and objectives: nasal polyposis affects 4% of the general population and 25% - 30% of pa tients with chronic rhinosinusitis. The presence of nasal polyps poses a significant risk of developing olfaction disorders. The aim of this study is to determine whether patients with nasal polyps show any olfactory improvement after treatment with functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Methods: 20 patients were examined. All of them suffered from chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps and were treated with functional endoscopic sinus surgery by the same surgeon. A 30-day follow-up was conducted, studying the patients’ pre-and-post-operative/ surgery olfaction levels through the method of the Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center. Polyposis was staged preoperatively, using the Tomographic Lund McKay scale with scores ranging from 0 to 24, depending on the occupation of the paranasal sinuses and the osteomeatal complex. We excluded patients under 15 years old, patients having chronic rhinosinusitis without polyps, patients who had undergone repeated surgery due to relapse and patients with comorbidities, including mucoviscidosis, brain degenerative diseases and cilium diseases. Results: There was an improvement of the olfactory level after the Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery patients suffering from chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. We concluded that the higher the tomographic Lund-McKay score, the better the olfaction after the surgery.

Introdução e objetivos: A polipose nasal está presente em 4% da população geral e entre 25%-30% das pessoas com rinossinusite crônica. A presença de pólipos nasais é um importante fator de risco para alterações no olfato. Objetivo: estabelecer se existe melhora do olfato em pacientes com polipose nasal após intervenção cirúrgica com endoscopia nasossinusal. Métodos: Considerou-se uma amostra de 20 pacientes com rinossinusite crônica polipóide tratados mediante cirurgia endoscópica nasossinusal pelo mesmo cirurgião, com acompanhamento 30 dias após a cirurgia, nos quais foi examinado o nível de olfato antes e depois da operação com o método do Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center. Avaliou-se antes da cirurgia o grau de polipose com um score tomográfico de Lund McKay. Resultados: Aumento da pontuação de olfato em pacientes com polipose nasal após a polipectomia com cirurgia endoscópica nasossinusal (p<0,0001) . Relação linear entre o score tomográfico pré-operatório e o grau de melhora do olfato (p<0,05). Conclusões: Existe uma melhora de olfato em pacientes com rinossinusite crônica polipoide após o tratamento desta patologia com cirurgia endoscópica nasossinusal. Observou-se também que quanto maior o grau de polipose pré-operatória, maior é a melhora do olfato pós-operatório.

Influencia de la premedicación con esteroides sistémicos en el sangrado y visualización del campo quirúrgico durante la cirugía endoscópica nasosinusal / Effect of premedication with systemic steroids on surgical field bleeding and visibility during nasosinusal endoscopic surgery

Introducción: La rinosinusitis crónica (RSC) es la inflamación de la mucosa nasal y senos paranasales de más de 12 semanas de evolución. El éxito de la cirugía endoscópica nasosinusal (CENS) para su tratamiento depende de la correcta orientación anatómica en la región, para lo cual es vital la minimización del edema y sangrado intraoperatorio. Con este fin algunos cirujanos consideran el uso de corticosteroides sistémicos (CS) preoperatorios.El objetivo de este trabajo es determinar si el uso de CS administrados preoperatorios en pacientes con RSC con o sin poliposis nasal (PN) mejora las condiciones operatorias. Material y métodos: Ensayo clínico controlado, no aleatorizado, en pacientes con RSC con o sin PN sometidos a CENS. Al primer grupo (CS) se le administró meprednisona por vía oral antes de la CENS. Los pacientes del grupo control no recibieron CS. Se analizaron campo quirúrgico, volumen total de sangre aspirada y duración total de la cirugía. Resultados: Se incluyeron 27 pacientes en cada grupo. En pacientes con RSC sin PN la administración de corticoides disminuyó los valores de todos los parámetros en estudio, sin encontrar diferencia significativa para ninguno de ellos. En el grupo con PN solo fue estadísticamente significativa la diferencia entre el sangrado intraoperatorio. Conclusión: Si bien los valores de todos los parámetros estudiados se encuentran disminuidos en alguna medida con la administración de glucocorticoides preoperatorios, solo existe una diferencia significativa con relación al sangrado intraoperatorio de pacientes con RSC con PN (AU)

Introduction: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is the inflammation of the nasal and paranasal sinus mucosa persisting for at least 12 weeks. The success of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) depends on minimising oedema and intraoperative bleeding. For this purpose, some surgeons advocate the use of preoperative systemic steroids (SS).Our aim was to assess if the administration of preoperative SS in patients with CRS with or without nasal polyps (NP) facilitates the surgical procedure. Methods: Non-randomized clinical trial in CRS patients with or without NP. Patients in the ESS group received oral meprednisone preoperatively, whereas the control group did not. The visibility of the surgical field, intraoperative bleeding and surgery duration were recorded. Results: Each group (SS group and control group) included 27 patients. The administration of SS reduced the values of all the parameters in patients without NP, with no significant differences. In patients with NP, only operative bleeding was reduced significantly. Conclusions: Even though all the parameters decreased with the preoperative administration of SS, only operative bleeding was significantly reduced in patients with CRS with NP (AU)

Vibrant Soundbridge in congenital osseous atresia: multicenter study of 12 patients with osseous atresia.

CONCLUSION: The study suggests that the Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) middle ear implant could be a valid alternative for patients with congenital aural atresia to compensate for their hearing loss. OBJECTIVE: To determine the audiologic benefit the VSB provides in patients with congenital aural atresia. METHODS: Twelve patients with congenital aural atresia were implanted with VSB: eight patients were unilaterally atretic (67%) and 4 (33%) were bilaterally atretic. In five cases the implant was placed onto the round window, in another five cases the implant was placed on the stapes, in only one case a prosthesis (coupler) was used to fix the implant into the oval window, and in one case a fenestration on the cochlear endostium was performed. RESULTS: The mean functional gain obtained for all patients evaluated was 62 dB at 0.5 kHz, 60 dB at 1 kHz, 48.3 dB at 2 kHz, and 50.8 dB at 4 kHz. The mean functional gain for all frequencies evaluated was 55.1 dB.

Effect of premedication with systemic steroids on surgical field bleeding and visibility during nasosinusal endoscopic surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is the inflammation of the nasal and paranasal sinus mucosa persisting for at least 12 weeks. The success of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) depends on minimising oedema and intraoperative bleeding. For this purpose, some surgeons advocate the use of preoperative systemic steroids (SS). Our aim was to assess if the administration of preoperative SS in patients with CRS with or without nasal polyps (NP) facilitates the surgical procedure. METHODS: Non-randomized clinical trial in CRS patients with or without NP. Patients in the ESS group received oral meprednisone preoperatively, whereas the control group did not. The visibility of the surgical field, intraoperative bleeding and surgery duration were recorded. RESULTS: Each group (SS group and control group) included 27 patients. The administration of SS reduced the values of all the parameters in patients without NP, with no significant differences. In patients with NP, only operative bleeding was reduced significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Even though all the parameters decreased with the preoperative administration of SS, only operative bleeding was significantly reduced in patients with CRS with NP.

[ARIA (Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma). Achievements in 10 years and future needs in Latin America]. / ARIA (Rinitis Alérgica y su Impacto en Asma). Logros en 10 años y necesidades futuras en América Latina.

Allergic rhinitis and asthma represent global problems of public health affecting all age groups; asthma and allergic rhinitis frequently coexist in the same patients. In Latin American prevalence of allergic rhinitis, although variable, is very high. Allergic rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) started during a workshop of the World Health Organization performed in 1999 and was published in 2001. ARIA proposed a new classification of allergic rhinitis in intermittent or persistent and mild or moderate-severe. This approach of classification reflects more nearly the impact of allergic rhinitis in patients. In its review of 2010 ARIA developed guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of allergic rhinitis and of clinical practices for management of comorbidities of allergic rhinitis and asthma based on GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Development and Evaluation). ARIA has been spread and implemented in more than 50 countries. In Latin American an intense activity has been developed to spread these recommendations in almost all the countries of the region and it is important to record the obtained goals in the diffusion and implementation of ARIA, as well as to identify the unsatisfied needs from the clinical, research and implementation points of view. Final objective is to reinforce the priority that allergy and asthma should have, especially in children, in the programs of public health, as they have been prioritized in European Union in 2011.

La rinitis alérgica y el asma representan problemas globales de salud pública que afectan a todos los grupos etarios; el asma y la rinitis alérgica frecuentemente coexisten en los mismos pacientes. En América Latina la prevalencia de rinitis alérgica, aunque variable, es muy elevada. La iniciativa Rinitis Alérgica y su Impacto en Asma (globalmente conocida como ARIA, de su nombre en inglés Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma) comenzó durante un taller de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) realizado en 1999 que se publicó en el año 2001. ARIA propuso una nueva clasificación de rinitis alérgica en intermitente o persistente y leve o moderada-severa. Este esquema de clasificación refleja más estrechamente el impacto de la rinitis alérgica en los pacientes. En su revisión de 2010, la guía ARIA desarrolló pautas para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la rinitis alérgica y de prácticas clínicas para el manejo de las comorbilidades de la rinitis alérgica y el asma basadas en GRADE (Gradación de Recomendaciones, Desarrollo y Evaluación). ARIA se ha diseminado e implantado en más de 50 países. En América Latina se ha desarrollado una intensa actividad para diseminar estas recomendaciones en casi todos los países de la región y es importante llevar un registro de los logros obtenidos en la difusión e implantación de ARIA, además de identificar las necesidades insatisfechas desde el punto de vista clínico, de la investigación y de la implantación. El objetivo final es reforzar la prioridad que deben tener la alergia y el asma ­especialmente en niños­ en los programas de Salud Pública, tal como los priorizó la Unión Europea en 2011.

Comparación de complicaciones según la técnica utilizada en los implantes cocleares / Comparison of complications by technique used in cochlear implants

Introducción: Las complicaciones son un indicador muy sensible de la utilidad de una técnica quirúrgica. En cirugía de implante coclear se pueden utilizar 3 abordajes: el abordaje clásico utiliza el receso facial (RF) para el paso del electrodo; el abordaje suprameatal (SMA) no requiere mastoidectomía y utiliza la creación de un túnel que pasa por encima del nervio facial para entrar a la caja del tímpano desde atrás, y el abordaje endomeatal (EMA) que se basa en la realización de un canal en la pared posterior del conducto auditivo externo. Material y métodos: Estudio multicéntrico de revisión de 208 pacientes, comparando las diferentes técnicas de abordaje descritas. Se clasificaron las complicaciones en mayores y menores. Resultados: Entre los 208 pacientes implantados el 10,5% (22 de 208) presentó complicaciones, de estas el 2,88% (6 de 208) fueron complicaciones mayores que llevaron a la reimplantación y el 7,69% (16 de 208) fueron complicaciones menores. Comparando los resultados obtenidos por los diferentes grupos, podemos decir que la técnica del RF es la que menos porcentaje de complicaciones mayores tuvo, 1,1% seguida de la técnica EMA con un 2,38% y la SMA con un 3,75%. En cuanto a las complicaciones menores, el grupo operado por SMA tuvo el menor porcentaje presentando el 6,25%, seguido del grupo operado por EMA con el 7,14% y el grupo operado por el RF presentó el 10%. Conclusiones: Las 3 técnicas quirúrgicas descritas muestran un porcentaje de complicaciones muy similar. Por lo tanto, podemos concluir, que las 3 técnicas son seguras y alternativas unas con otras (AU)

Introduction: Complications are a very sensitive indicator of the usefulness of a surgical technique. In cochlear implant surgery, there are 3 principal approaches: the classic approach uses the facial recess (FR), the suprameatal approach (SMA) does not require mastoidectomy and uses the creation of a tunnel over the facial nerve to enter the middle ear, and the endomeatal approach (EMA) is based on the completion of a groove in the posterior wall of external auditory canal. Material and methods: A multicentre review of 208 patients with cochlear implants, comparing the different techniques. The complications were classified into major and minor. Results: Among the 208 implanted patients, 10.5% (22 of 208) had complications. Of these, 2.88% (6 of 208) were major complications and 7.69% (16 of 208) were minor complications. Comparing the results obtained by the different approaches, the FR technique had the lowest rate of major complications (1.1%), followed by the EMA technique with 2.38% and SMA with3.75%. As for minor complications, operations in the SMA group had the lowest rate (6.25%), followed by the EMA group (7.14%) and the group operated on using the FR technique presented the highest (10%).Conclusions: The 3 techniques described show very similar rates of complications. Consequently, we can conclude that they are safe and are alternatives (AU)

Olfactory dysfunction in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis.

Objectives. To measure the prevalence of and identify the clinical characteristics associated with olfactory decline in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. Methods and Materials. There is analytical, prospective, and observational study in adult patients with a diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis. The olfactory test used was the Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center (CCCRC). Results. They are 33 patients total. Within the group of patients aged 18 to 39, 9% had normosmia, 73% hyposmia, and 18% anosmia (P < 0.001). Between 40 and 64 years old, there was no patient with normosmia, 63% hyposmia, and 37% anosmia (P < 0.001). Of patients older than 65 years old, 33% showed mild hyposmia, 34% severe hyposmia, and 33% anosmia (P < 0.001). 52% were females, and 48% were males. Conclusion. Nasal polyposis, asthma, septal deviation, turbinate hypertrophy, tobacco, and allergic rhinitis are predicting factors of olfactory dysfunction. Antecedents of previous endoscopic surgeries, age, and gender would not be associated with olfactory loss.

Utilidad de fibrolaringoscopía en la disfonía por tensión muscular en teleoperadores / The use of fibrolaryngoscopy in muscle tension dysphonia in telemarketersla

Introducción: La disfonía por tensión muscular (DTM) es una alteración de la voz en ausencia de patología laríngea orgánica, y sin alteraciones neurológicas o psicológicas evidentes. El hiatus posterior y la actividad supraglótica hipertónica son considerados como las manifestaciones fibrolaringoscópicas típicas de DTM, sin embargo, todavía permanece poco claro si estos patrones son específicos de esta patología. El objetivo principal de este estudio fue comparar los hallazgos fibrolaringoscópicos entre pacientes teleoperadores con DTM versus individuos sin síntomas vocales. Como objetivo secundario se persiguió describir las características personales, laborales y clínicas del grupo de teleoperadores. Métodos: Estudio observacional, analítico y transversal. Se reclutaron 57 pacientes (28 de DTM y 29 del grupo control) a los cuales se les realizó una fibrolaringoscopia, catalogados a ciegas por un laringólogo experto en función de la clasificación de Morrison y Rammage modificada. Además se llevó a cabo un cuestionario a ambos grupos acerca de antecedentes personales y laborales. Resultados: El hiatus posterior fue más prevalente en teleoperadores con DTM, mientras que en el grupo control lo fue el hiatus longitudinal. Más del 70% de las fibroscopias del grupo control fueron informadas como patológicas. La contracción supraglótica antero-posterior fue más frecuente en pacientes sanos. Los síntomas más relatados fueron fonastenia, tensión en musculatura del cuello y esfuerzo vocal aumentado. Conclusión: La heterogeneidad en los patrones fibroscópicos laríngeos en teleoperadores con DTM, así como su presencia en personas sanas, sugiere que los mismos en forma aislada no pueden establecer el diagnóstico de DTM(AU)

Introduction: Muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) is a voice disorder in the absence of current organic laryngeal pathology, without obvious psychogenic or neurological aetiology. The laryngeal features of MTD include a posterior glottal gap and supraglottic hyperfunctional activities; however, it remains unclear if these features are specific to MTD. This report aims to compare the laryngeal features in telemarketer patients with MTD versus non-dysphonic control subjects. Methods: We reported on an observational, analytic and transversal study. Fiberoptic nasal endoscopy was performed on 57 patients (28 telemarketers with MTD and 29 control subjects). These random-sequence videotapes were independently rated by an expert laryngologist according to the modified Morrison and Rammage classification. In addition, a questionnaire about vocal symptoms and other details was completed. Results: The posterior glottal gap was the most common feature in telemarketers with MTD, while incomplete glottal gap was observed more frequently in non-dysphonic patients. More than 70% of the videotapes were rated as pathologic. There was no statistical difference in the prevalence of normal features or bowing glottal gap between patients and control subjects. Anterior-posterior supraglottic contraction was more frequent in the control group. The major symptoms found were: voice gets tired quickly, increased vocal effort and neck tension. Conclusions: The heterogeneity in the laryngeal features in telemarketers with MTD seen under fibroscopy and their presence among the non-dysphonic population suggest that they cannot determine by themselves the diagnosis of MTD(AU)

Comparison of complications by technique used in cochlear implants.

INTRODUCTION: Complications are a very sensitive indicator of the usefulness of a surgical technique. In cochlear implant surgery, there are 3 principal approaches: the classic approach uses the facial recess (FR), the suprameatal approach (SMA) does not require mastoidectomy and uses the creation of a tunnel over the facial nerve to enter the middle ear, and the endomeatal approach (EMA) is based on the completion of a groove in the posterior wall of external auditory canal. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A multicentre review of 208 patients with cochlear implants, comparing the different techniques. The complications were classified into major and minor. RESULTS: Among the 208 implanted patients, 10.5% (22 of 208) had complications. Of these, 2.88% (6 of 208) were major complications and 7.69% (16 of 208) were minor complications. Comparing the results obtained by the different approaches, the FR technique had the lowest rate of major complications (1.1%), followed by the EMA technique with 2.38% and SMA with 3.75%. As for minor complications, operations in the SMA group had the lowest rate (6.25%), followed by the EMA group (7.14%) and the group operated on using the FR technique presented the highest (10%). CONCLUSIONS: The 3 techniques described show very similar rates of complications. Consequently, we can conclude that they are safe and are alternatives.

[The use of fibrolaryngoscopy in muscle tension dysphonia in telemarketers]. / Utilidad de la fibrolaringoscopía en la disfonía por tensión muscular en teleoperadores.

INTRODUCTION: Muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) is a voice disorder in the absence of current organic laryngeal pathology, without obvious psychogenic or neurological aetiology. The laryngeal features of MTD include a posterior glottal gap and supraglottic hyperfunctional activities; however, it remains unclear if these features are specific to MTD. This report aims to compare the laryngeal features in telemarketer patients with MTD versus non-dysphonic control subjects. METHODS: We reported on an observational, analytic and transversal study. Fiberoptic nasal endoscopy was performed on 57 patients (28 telemarketers with MTD and 29 control subjects). These random-sequence videotapes were independently rated by an expert laryngologist according to the modified Morrison and Rammage classification. In addition, a questionnaire about vocal symptoms and other details was completed. RESULTS: The posterior glottal gap was the most common feature in telemarketers with MTD, while incomplete glottal gap was observed more frequently in non-dysphonic patients. More than 70% of the videotapes were rated as pathologic. There was no statistical difference in the prevalence of normal features or bowing glottal gap between patients and control subjects. Anterior-posterior supraglottic contraction was more frequent in the control group. The major symptoms found were: voice gets tired quickly, increased vocal effort and neck tension. CONCLUSIONS: The heterogeneity in the laryngeal features in telemarketers with MTD seen under fibroscopy and their presence among the non-dysphonic population suggest that they cannot determine by themselves the diagnosis of MTD.

[Allergic rhinitis update and its impact on asthma (ARIA 2008). Latin American perspective]. / Actualización de rinitis alérgica y su impacto en el asma (ARIA 2008). La perspectiva latinoamericana.

Rhinitis is the most frequent respiratory disease in most countries of the world. It is estimated that 600 million people suffer this condition. Allergic rhinitis is a public health problem at global level. Patients who suffer allergic rhinitis have from mild to annoying nasal symptoms which affect quality of life, cause sleep disorders, scholar and workplace absenteeism, and health expenditure. Rhinitis is frequently associated to co-morbidities such as sinusitis, otitis media, and especially asthma. Rhinitis is under-diagnosed and under-treated worldwide and also in Latin American countries. ARIA is the very first evidence-based guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of rhinitis with focus in its co-morbidities (2001), especially asthma published in 2001. In 2008 an update was published. ARIA recommends an integrative approach for management; including anti-histamines (second generation), intra-nasal corticosteroids, anti-leukotrienes and immunotherapy. It also provides a questionnaire to evaluate asthma and its severity in those patients suffering rhinitis. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis is quite high in Latin American countries and in recent years a great insight on the burden of this condition has been gained.