Clipping of sigmoid sinus diverticulum: how I do it.

OBJECTIVE: To report two cases of transmastoid clipping of a sigmoid sinus diverticulum. METHODS: Two patients with pulsatile tinnitus resulting from a sigmoid sinus diverticulum underwent clipping at the diverticulum neck using intra-operative Doppler ultrasonography. RESULTS: At six months' follow up, both patients reported complete resolution of pulsatile tinnitus with no complications. CONCLUSION: Transmastoid clipping of a sigmoid sinus diverticulum can be a safe and effective method of managing pulsatile tinnitus resulting from a sigmoid sinus diverticulum.

Internal carotid artery aneurysm in skull base osteomyelitis: does the pattern of cranial nerve involvement matter?

OBJECTIVE: Carotid artery aneurysm is a potentially fatal complication of skull base osteomyelitis. It is important to know the warning signs for this complication, as early diagnosis is of great importance. This report aimed to determine whether the pattern of cranial nerve involvement may predict the occurrence of aneurysm involving the internal carotid artery in skull base osteomyelitis. METHODS: Two diabetic patients with skull base osteomyelitis were incidentally diagnosed with pseudo-aneurysm of the petrous internal carotid artery on follow-up magnetic resonance imaging. They presented with lower cranial nerve palsy; however, facial nerve function was almost preserved in both cases. Computed tomography angiography confirmed aneurysms at the junction of the horizontal and vertical segments of the petrous carotid artery. RESULTS: Internal carotid artery trapping was conducted using coil embolisation. Post-coiling magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated no procedure-related complications. Regular follow up has demonstrated that patients' symptoms are improving. CONCLUSION: One should be mindful of this potentially fatal complication in skull base osteomyelitis patients with lower cranial nerve palsies, with or without facial nerve involvement, especially in the presence of intracranial thromboembolic events or Horner's syndrome.

A comparison study of complications and initial follow-up costs of transcutaneous and percutaneous bone conduction devices.

BACKGROUND: The percutaneous osseointegrated bone conduction device can be associated with more soft tissue complications when compared to the magnetic transcutaneous osseointegrated bone conduction device. This study aimed to determine whether fewer soft tissue complications may result in the transcutaneous osseointegrated bone conduction device being a lower cost option in hearing rehabilitation. METHODS: This retrospective case note review included adult patients who underwent implantation with the transcutaneous Cochlear Attract (n = 22) or percutaneous Cochlear DermaLock (n = 25) bone-anchored hearing aids between September 2013 and December 2014. The number of post-operative clinic appointments, complications and treatments undertaken, and calculated cost average, were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Although the transcutaneous device was slightly more expensive than the percutaneous device, the percutaneous device was associated with a greater number of soft tissue complications and, as a result, the percutaneous device had significantly higher follow-up costs in the first six months following surgery. CONCLUSION: The transcutaneous osseointegrated bone conduction device may represent a more cost-effective method of hearing rehabilitation compared to the percutaneous osseointegrated bone conduction device.

An epidemiological study to investigate the relationship between Meniere's disease and migraine.

OBJECTIVES: A relationship between Meniere's disease and migraine has been postulated previously. This study investigates this relationship further and determines the most influential factors for developing Meniere's disease. DESIGN: Epidemiological study. SETTING: Two tertiary referral Neuro-Otological centres in Sheffield and Sydney. PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients referred to the Neuro-Otology clinic between 2003 and 2010. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Past history and family history of Meniere's disease and migraine. Logistic regression analysis to determine the most influential factors for Meniere's disease. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty-one patients were included in the study, 102 with Meniere's disease and 79 with other balance disorders. Three significant findings were demonstrated. Firstly, a family history of Meniere's disease (33.3% versus 6.3%) or migraine (21.6% versus 9%) is more common in the Meniere's disease group than in the other balance disorders group. Secondly, a history of migrainous headaches is more common in the Meniere's disease group than in the other balance disorders group (45.1% versus 9%). Thirdly, patients with a past history or a family history of Meniere's disease or migraine have a higher likelihood of suffering from Meniere's disease. CONCLUSIONS: There is an overall relationship between Meniere's disease and migraine. A family history of Meniere's disease or migraine is more common in Meniere's disease. A history of migrainous headache is more common in Meniere's disease. Patients with a past history or family history of Meniere's disease or migraine have a higher likelihood of suffering from Meniere's disease.

Factors affecting myringoplasty success.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors that significantly influence myringoplasty success. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed of all adults and children who underwent myringoplasty from January 2005 to January 2010 in a teaching hospital. Outcome measures were tympanic membrane perforation closure and air-bone gap closure to within 20 dB HL. The factors assessed were the surgeon grade, pre-operative condition of the ipsilateral and contralateral middle ears, perforation site, perforation size, graft material, and whether simultaneous cortical mastoidectomy was performed. Factors with statistically significant effects were determined by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: In the adult group, the perforation site significantly influenced tympanic membrane closure (p = 0.016): anterior (p = 0.008) and subtotal (p = 0.017) sites had the greatest influence. None of the factors proved to have a significant influence on tympanic membrane closure in the paediatric group. CONCLUSION: There was a significant association between perforation site and tympanic membrane perforation closure in adults. Anterior and subtotal perforations had a significantly reduced closure rate.