Edge Enhancement Optimization in Flexible Endoscopic Images to the Perception of Ear, Nose and Throat Professionals.

OBJECTIVES: Digital endoscopes are connected to a video processor that applies various operations to process the image. One of those operations is edge enhancement that sharpens the image. The purpose of this study was to (1) quantify the level of edge enhancement, (2) measure the effect on sharpness and image noise, and (3) study the influence of edge enhancement on image quality perceived by ENT professionals. METHODS: Three digital flexible endoscopic systems were included. The level of edge enhancement and the influence on sharpness and noise were measured in vitro, while systematically varying the levels of edge enhancement. In vivo images were captured at identical levels of one healthy larynx. Each series of in vivo images was presented to 39 ENT professionals according to a forced pairwise comparison test, to select the image with the best image quality for diagnostic purposes. The numbers of votes were converted to a psychometric scale of just noticeable differences (JND) according to the Thurstone V model. RESULTS: The maximum level of edge enhancement varied per endoscopic system and ranged from 0.8 to 1.2. Edge enhancement increased sharpness and noise. Images with edge enhancement were unanimously preferred to images without edge enhancement. The quality difference with respect to zero edge enhancement reaches an optimum at levels between 0.7 and 0.9. CONCLUSION: Edge enhancement has a major impact on sharpness, noise, and the resulting perceived image quality. We conclude that ENT professionals benefit from this video processing and should verify if their equipment is optimally configured. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 134:842-847, 2024.

Postoperative surgical site infection in cholesteatoma surgery with and without mastoid obliteration, what can we learn?

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to describe the occurrence of postoperative complications related to cholesteatoma surgery and to determine factors influencing the most common complication, i.e. postoperative surgical site infection (SSI) in cases with and without mastoid obliteration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analyses were performed on surgically treated cholesteatomas in our hospital between 2013 and 2019. Patient characteristics, peri- and postoperative management and complications were reviewed. The cases were divided into two groups based on whether mastoid obliteration was performed or not. RESULTS: A total of 336 cholesteatoma operations were performed, of which 248 cases received mastoid obliteration. In total 21 complications were observed, of which SSI was the most common (15/21). No difference in occurrence of any postoperative complication was seen between the obliteration and no-obliteration group (p = 0.798), especially not in the number of SSI (p = 0.520). Perioperative and/or postoperative prophylactic antibiotics were not associated to the development of an SSI in both groups. In the no-obliteration group a younger age (p = 0.015), as well as primary surgery (p = 0.022) increased the risk for SSI. In the obliteration group the use of bioactive glass (BAG) S53P4 was identified as independent predictor of SSI (p = 0.008, OR 5.940). DISCUSSION: SSI is the most common postoperative complication in cholesteatoma surgery. The causes of SSI are multifactorial, therefore further prospective research is needed to answer which factors can prevent the development of an SSI in cholesteatoma surgery.

Osteoradionecrosis of the external auditory canal: three cases involving reconstruction with transposition of a split temporalis muscle flap.

OBJECTIVE: Osteoradionecrosis of the temporal bone is an uncommon but well documented finding after radiotherapy in the head and neck region, and results in exposed, necrotic bone with a soft tissue defect in the external auditory canal. The defect can be treated either conservatively or surgically. This paper aims to describe the results of reconstruction of the external auditory canal by transpositioning of the superficial layer of either the anterior or posterior part of the temporalis muscle to cover the defect. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three patients with large, symptomatic defects in the external auditory canal were treated with transposition of the superficial layer of the temporalis muscle. RESULTS: The duration of follow up was 4 to 16 months. No complications occurred. In all patients, re-epithelialisation was complete within 3 months. CONCLUSION: During reconstruction of the external auditory canal, transposition of the superficial layer of the temporalis muscle provides a reliable flap with a satisfactory outcome.

Chronic serous otitis media as a manifestation of temporal meningioma.

Chronic serous otitis media is a common problem in the daily routine of the otorhinolaryngologist. In the majority of cases, the cause is related to dysfunction of the eustachian tube due to viral or bacterial rhinitis and occasionally to nasopharyngeal tumors. We report a case of a patient presenting with chronic serous otitis media that was resistant to conventional therapy. MRI with gadolinium finally revealed that the middle ear fluid was caused by leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) due to bone destruction by a temporal meningioma. The CSF leakage was closed by surgery. Histopathology confirmed meningioma in the temporal bone.

Respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma in the nasopharynx.

We present a case report of a female patient with complaints of single-sided nasal obstruction. A polypoid structure was seen in the nasopharynx. Histologic examination showed a respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma -- a rare, benign lesion. Therapy consisted of complete excision. In line with previous reports, the lesion did not recur during 13 months of follow up. The clinical and pathological features of this abnormality are discussed.