Clinical Prevalence of Enhanced Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex Responses on Video Head Impulse Test.

OBJECTIVE: To measure and analyze the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients and healthy controls with enhanced eye velocity responses as well as evaluate their relationship with endolymphatic hydrops related diseases. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional clinical study. SETTING: Tertiary hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred sixty three participants allocated to patients (310) and healthy control (53) groups were collected on first time visit to neurotology unit. INTERVENTION: Diagnostic. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Video head impulse test records, clinical diagnose, and variables and demographic data were used to get cross tables, a general linear model, diagnostic epidemiological parameters, and machine learning variable importance evaluation methods. RESULTS: All the statistical tests revealed a significant association between enhanced vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) and diagnostic categories (p < 0.001). Chi-squared residual and machine learning analyses showed Menière's disease as the main associated diagnostic category, whereas the lowest residuals and gain values were found in the control group. Enhanced VOR as a diagnostic sign of Menière's disease had a sensitivity of 42.59% and a specificity of 86.32%, with an odds ratio of 4.68 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: There is a significantly higher prevalence of enhanced VOR responses in patients with Menière's disease, central origin vertigo, otosclerosis, and vestibular migraine than in those with other neurotologic diseases and controls. Our study found that enhanced VOR are not pathognomonic of hydrops-related diseases and the diagnosis should not solely be based on these and instead take into context other clinical and examination findings.

Clinical Validity of Quantified Visually Enhanced Vestibulo-ocular Reflex Test to Detect Horizontal Semicircular Canal Hypofunction.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical validity of the mathematical measured VVOR test results to detect horizontal semicircular canal hypofunction. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized, observational study. SETTING: Tertiary referral center, hospital. PATIENTS: Consecutive patients on first time visit to otoneurology unit. INTERVENTION(S): Diagnostic. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Values of statistical indicators of clinical validity for VVOR test to detect horizontal canal hypofunction were used considering vHIT horizontal aVOR gain values as gold standard. RESULTS: Area under curve of ROC curve for quantified VVOR testing was 0.92. Head movement frequency on VVOR test and contralateral VVOR gain were identified as significant influence factors of (unilateral) VVOR gain (p < 0.0001) on statistical linear model. CONCLUSIONS: According to the obtained results, the quantified VVOR test has excellent clinical validity for detecting angular horizontal VOR hypofunction.

Utility of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of cholesteatoma and the influence of the learning curve.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess the usefulness and reliability of this technique in our center, correlating the radiological and surgical findings and to study the influence of the learning curve by comparing the initial results with a radiological analysis performed 3 years after. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: 67 patients with clinical cholesteatoma suspicion were included in the study, 24 with previously not operated cholesteatoma and 43 with suspicion of recurrent or residual cholesteatoma. All of them underwent diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging, comparing these results with the histological confirmation after surgery. At 3 years, a blind radiological review of these cases was performed and the results were compared with those obtained after the first assessment to objectify the influence of the learning curve. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the total sample were 93.9, 77.8, 92 and 82.4. The overall results after the blind review of the cases were 95.9, 94.4, 97.9 and 89.5, respectively. CONCLUSION: The diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging is a very useful technique during the diagnostic process of doubtful cases of cholesteatoma, especially in cases of follow-up. As for the influence of the learning curve, we observed a clear improvement in the specificity of the test.

Estudio prospectivo de la evolución del acúfeno tras exéresis por vía translaberíntica del neurinoma del acústico / Change in tinnitus after acoustic neuroma removal using a translabyrinthine approach. A Prospective study

Introducción: El acúfeno es uno de los síntomas más prevalentes entre los pacientes afectos de neurinoma del acústico y su evolución tras cirugía es difícilmente predecible. Material y métodos: Se realiza un estudio prospectivo de los pacientes intervenidos por vía translaberíntica en nuestro centro en un período de 4 años (2009-2013). Los pacientes contestan al cuestionario de incapacidad del tinnitus (THI). Se recogen de la historia clínica la edad, sexo, tamaño tumoral, audiometría prequirúrgica y función facial postoperatoria. Resultados: Participaron en el estudio 39 pacientes. El 71,8% de pacientes padecían acúfeno. El 50% de los pacientes presentaban un deterioro muy leve, el 17,9% leve, el 10,7% moderado, el 21,4% severo y el 0% muy severo. No encontramos asociación estadísticamente significativa entre ninguna de las variables estudiadas y el acúfeno preoperatorio. El porcentaje total de pacientes con acúfeno postoperatorio fue del 48,7%. El 31,6% presentaron un deterioro muy leve, el 36,8% leve, el 10,5% moderado, el 15,8% severo y el 5,3% muy severo. La diferencia de medias entre el THI pre y postoperatorio resultó estadísticamente significativa (p = 0,011), siendo esta diferencia de mayor magnitud en pacientes jóvenes. Asimismo, existió una correlación negativa y significativa (r = ---0,335; p = 0,037) entre la audición preoperatoria y el THI postoperatorio. Conclusiones: No encontramos asociación significativa entre el tinnitus y la edad, sexo, tamaño tumoral y función facial postoperatoria. La exéresis del neurinoma del acústico por vía translaberíntica disminuye la percepción del acúfeno en esta serie, siendo los pacientes que mejoran más jóvenes. Los mejores resultados del THI posquirúrgico los encontramos entre pacientes con peor audición prequirúrgica (AU)

Introduction: Tinnitus is one of the primary symptoms of vestibular schwannoma (VS) and the effect of surgery is unpredictable. Materials and methods: We conducted a prospective study of the patients who underwent a translabyrinthine approach for the treatment of their VS (2009-2013) at our Hospital. Patients answered the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) questionnaire pre- and postoperatively. The clinical charts provided data such as age, gender, tumour size, preoperative audiometry and postoperative facial function. Results: The study included 39 patients. Of these, 71.8% suffered from tinnitus: 50% grade I, 17.9% grade II, 10.7% grade III, 21.4% grade IV and 0% grade V. We found no statistical association between tinnitus and the different variables measured preoperatively. Postoperatively, 48.7% of the patients suffered from tinnitus: 31.6% grade I, 36.8% grade II, 10.5% grade III, 15.8% grade IV and 5.3% grade V. The difference between mean pre- and postoperative THI was statistically significant (P = .011); this difference was greater in younger patients. We have found a significant negative correlation (r = ---0.335; P = .037) between preoperative audiometry and postoperative THI. Conclusions: We did not find any significant association between tinnitus and age, gender, tumour size and postoperative facial function. Translabyrinthine surgical removal of VS in these patients led to better THI results, with the younger patients having better outcomes. The patients with poorest preoperative audition were the ones that had the best results in the postoperative THI questionnaire (AU)

Utilidad de la petrosectomía subtotal en el tratamiento de la otitis media crónica / Management of chronic otitis media by subtotal petrosectomy

Introducción y Objetivos: La petrosectomía subtotal consiste en la eliminación completa de todas las celdas neumáticas del hueso temporal. La Trompa de Eustaquio se oblitera y el conducto auditivo externo se cierra. El objetivo de este estudio es describir el uso de esta técnica en el manejo de determinados casos de otitis media crónica. Material y Método: Se realiza un estudio retrospectivo de los pacientes intervenidos en nuestro hospital de petrosectomía subtotal para el tratamiento de otitis medias crónicas en un período de 5 años (2008-2012). Se recogieron datos de su historia clínica, exploración otomicroscópica, audiometría, radiología, hallazgos quirúrgicos, complicaciones postquirúrgicas y seguimiento posterior (incluyendo Resonancia magnética con difusión) con un mínimo de 24 meses de seguimiento. Resultados: En este período se realizaron 28 petrosectomías para el tratamiento de otitis medias crónicas. 15 casos fueron secundarias, es decir, el oído ya había sido intervenido con anterioridad y en 13 casos se trató de una actitud primaria. 15 de estos casos no tenían una audición útil. El postoperatorio inmediato transcurrió sin incidencias en todos los casos salvo en uno en el que ocurrió una infección. A largo plazo, debieron reintervenirse dos casos por mostrar la Resonancia restricción en la difusión a los dos años de la cirugía. Conclusiones: La necesidad del empleo de la petrosectomía subtotal en el tratamiento de las otitis medias crónicas es rara pero deberemos tenerlo en cuenta en aquellos casos recurrentes en los que exista una hipoacusia severa a profunda así como en casos con buena reserva coclear si coexiste una complicación añadida (AU)

Introduction and Objectives: Subtotal petrosectomy is the complete exenteration of all air cell tracts of the temporal bone. The isthmus of the Eustachian tube is obliterated and the external auditory canal is closed. The aim of this study was to describe the use of this technique in the management of certain cases of chronic otitis media. Material and Methods: We conducted a retrospective revision of the patients treated in our Institution with this technique for chronic otitis media in a 5-year period (2008-2012). All charts were reviewed and data from the otomicroscopy, audiometry, radiology, surgical findings, postoperative complications and follow-up (including diffusion magnetic resonance imaging, MRI) of a minimum of 24 months were collected. Results: In this period petrosectomy was performed on 28 patients for chronic otitis media. We treated 13 cases as primary cases, while 15 cases were secondary (patients that had already undergone another procedure in that ear). Fifteen cases had no serviceable hearing. Only 1 case had an immediate postoperative complication (infection); during the posterior follow-up, 2 cases had to be reoperated for diffusion restriction in the mastoid area revealed in the MRI 2 years after surgery. Conclusions: A subtotal petrosectomy is rarely performed for the treatment of chronic otitis media. However, it is a technique that we have to keep in mind for the treatment of certain cases where there is recurrence and deep hearing loss, as well as in cases with good cochlear reserve if the disease coexists with other complications (AU)

Evaluación del cambio en el umbral de la vía ósea en pacientes operados de estapedectomía / Study of the improvement in bone conduction threshold after stapedectomy

Introducción y objetivos: La alteración del umbral auditivo de la vía ósea no solo corresponde a enfermedad localizada en el oído interno y nervio coclear, sino que puede ser secundaria a enfermedad presente en el oído medio, como ocurre en la otosclerosis. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar el resultado audiológico posquirúrgico y evaluar el efecto de la estapedectomía en el umbral auditivo de la vía ósea en pacientes con otosclerosis. Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de 95 pacientes (116 oídos) con hipoacusia de transmisión y mixta, diagnosticados de otosclerosis e intervenidos de forma consecutiva con la misma técnica de estapedectomía con platinectomía total. Se realizó audiometría tonal de las frecuencias 500, 1.000, 2.000 y 4.000Hz para la vía aérea y ósea en todos los casos de forma pre- y posquirúrgica (al mes y al año del procedimiento). Resultados: Se obtuvo un cierre del umbral diferencial de audición, con un valor residual<10dB en el 92,2% de los pacientes y<5dB en el 79,3%. La ganancia media obtenida en la vía aérea fue de 25dB. Los pacientes con afectación preoperatoria de la vía ósea mostraron una mejoría significativa en las frecuencias 1.000 (6dB) y 2.000 (12dB), con desaparición del escotoma de Carhart. Estos resultados se mantuvieron sin cambios al año de seguimiento. Conclusiones: Comprobamos una mejoría significativa de la vía ósea en las frecuencias 1.000 y 2.000Hz, con desaparición del escotoma de Carhart tras estapedectomía en pacientes diagnosticados de otosclerosis que presentan hipoacusia mixta (AU)

Introduction and objectives: Bone conduction threshold depression is not always a result of inner ear and cochlear nerve pathology. In fact, middle ear pathologies may be responsible for such threshold depression, as occurs in otosclerosis. The aims of this study were to evaluate the improvement of bone conduction threshold in patients with otosclerosis that underwent stapedectomy and to study the postoperative audiological results. Material and methods: This was a retrospective study on 95 patients (116 ears) diagnosed with otosclerosis having conductive or mixed hearing loss that received surgery (stapedectomy and complete removal of the footplate) consecutively. Audiometry was performed on all patients pre- and postoperatively (one month and one year after surgery). Bone and air conduction thresholds were measured at 4 frequencies (500, 1000, 2000 and 4000Hz). Results: The air-bone gap was closed, with a residual air-bone gap below 10dB in 92.2% of the patients and below 5dB in 79.3% of the cases. The air conduction threshold improved an average of 25dB. The patients that had an affected bone conduction threshold preoperatively improved bone conduction postoperatively at the frequencies of 1000 and 2000Hz (6 and 12dB, respectively). Consequently, the Carhart notch disappeared on the audiogram. These results were maintained at one year of follow up. Conclusions: We found a significant improvement in the bone conduction threshold at the frequencies of 1000 and 2000Hz and a disappearance of the Carhart notch in the audiogram after stapedectomy and total footplate removal in patients diagnosed with otosclerosis having mixed hearing loss (AU)

Change in tinnitus after acoustic neuroma removal using a translabyrinthine approach. A Prospective study. / Estudio prospectivo de la evolución del acúfeno tras exéresis por vía translaberíntica del neurinoma del acústico.

INTRODUCTION: Tinnitus is one of the primary symptoms of vestibular schwannoma (VS) and the effect of surgery is unpredictable. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of the patients who underwent a translabyrinthine approach for the treatment of their VS (2009-2013) at our Hospital. Patients answered the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) questionnaire pre- and postoperatively. The clinical charts provided data such as age, gender, tumour size, preoperative audiometry and postoperative facial function. RESULTS: The study included 39 patients. Of these, 71.8% suffered from tinnitus: 50% grade I, 17.9% grade II, 10.7% grade III, 21.4% grade IV and 0% grade V. We found no statistical association between tinnitus and the different variables measured preoperatively. Postoperatively, 48.7% of the patients suffered from tinnitus: 31.6% grade I, 36.8% grade II, 10.5% grade III, 15.8% grade IV and 5.3% grade V. The difference between mean pre- and postoperative THI was statistically significant (P=.011); this difference was greater in younger patients. We have found a significant negative correlation (r=-0.335; P=.037) between preoperative audiometry and postoperative THI. CONCLUSIONS: We did not find any significant association between tinnitus and age, gender, tumour size and postoperative facial function. Translabyrinthine surgical removal of VS in these patients led to better THI results, with the younger patients having better outcomes. The patients with poorest preoperative audition were the ones that had the best results in the postoperative THI questionnaire.

Study of the improvement in bone conduction threshold after stapedectomy. / Evaluación del cambio en el umbral de la vía ósea en pacientes operados de estapedectomía.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Bone conduction threshold depression is not always a result of inner ear and cochlear nerve pathology. In fact, middle ear pathologies may be responsible for such threshold depression, as occurs in otosclerosis. The aims of this study were to evaluate the improvement of bone conduction threshold in patients with otosclerosis that underwent stapedectomy and to study the postoperative audiological results. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study on 95 patients (116 ears) diagnosed with otosclerosis having conductive or mixed hearing loss that received surgery (stapedectomy and complete removal of the footplate) consecutively. Audiometry was performed on all patients pre- and postoperatively (one month and one year after surgery). Bone and air conduction thresholds were measured at 4 frequencies (500, 1000, 2000 and 4000Hz). RESULTS: The air-bone gap was closed, with a residual air-bone gap below 10dB in 92.2% of the patients and below 5dB in 79.3% of the cases. The air conduction threshold improved an average of 25dB. The patients that had an affected bone conduction threshold preoperatively improved bone conduction postoperatively at the frequencies of 1000 and 2000Hz (6 and 12dB, respectively). Consequently, the Carhart notch disappeared on the audiogram. These results were maintained at one year of follow up. CONCLUSIONS: We found a significant improvement in the bone conduction threshold at the frequencies of 1000 and 2000Hz and a disappearance of the Carhart notch in the audiogram after stapedectomy and total footplate removal in patients diagnosed with otosclerosis having mixed hearing loss.

Management of chronic otitis media by subtotal petrosectomy. / Utilidad de la petrosectomía subtotal en el tratamiento de la otitis media crónica.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Subtotal petrosectomy is the complete exenteration of all air cell tracts of the temporal bone. The isthmus of the Eustachian tube is obliterated and the external auditory canal is closed. The aim of this study was to describe the use of this technique in the management of certain cases of chronic otitis media. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective revision of the patients treated in our Institution with this technique for chronic otitis media in a 5-year period (2008-2012). All charts were reviewed and data from the otomicroscopy, audiometry, radiology, surgical findings, postoperative complications and follow-up (including diffusion magnetic resonance imaging, MRI) of a minimum of 24 months were collected. RESULTS: In this period petrosectomy was performed on 28 patients for chronic otitis media. We treated 13 cases as primary cases, while 15 cases were secondary (patients that had already undergone another procedure in that ear). Fifteen cases had no serviceable hearing. Only 1 case had an immediate postoperative complication (infection); during the posterior follow-up, 2 cases had to be reoperated for diffusion restriction in the mastoid area revealed in the MRI 2 years after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: A subtotal petrosectomy is rarely performed for the treatment of chronic otitis media. However, it is a technique that we have to keep in mind for the treatment of certain cases where there is recurrence and deep hearing loss, as well as in cases with good cochlear reserve if the disease coexists with other complications.