Evaluation of subclasses for T4-classified squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal.

BACKGROUND: T4-classified squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of external auditory canal (EAC) can potentially involve different anatomical structures, which could translate into different treatment strategies and survival outcomes within one classification. Our aim is to evaluate the clinical added value of T4-subclasses proposed by Lavieille and by Zanoletti. METHODS: Retrospective data, including patients with primary operated cT4-classified EAC SCC, was obtained from 12 international hospitals. We subclassified according to the T4-subclasses. The treatment strategies, disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival per subclass were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 130 T4-classified EAC SCC were included. We found commonly used treatment strategies per subclass according to Lavieille and the DFS seems also to differ per subclass. Subclass according to Zanoletti showed comparable treatment strategies and survival outcomes per subclass. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that the subclass according Lavieille might have added value in clinical practice to improve care of T4-classified EAC SCC.

Surgical treatment for squamous cell carcinoma of the temporal bone: predictors of survival.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the management and survival in patients treated for temporal bone squamous cell carcinoma (TBSCC) in a tertiary referral centre. METHODS: Forty-nine patients underwent primary treatment for TBSCC. Thirty-six patients underwent a lateral temporal bone resection (LTBR) or subtotal temporal bone resection (STBR). Overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) analysis were assessed. RESULTS: Five-year OS of the 49 patients was 39%. Five-year OS of the 36 patients who underwent LTBR or STBR was 46%. Tumour-free margins were achieved in all patients with T1 and T2 disease, in 59% patients with T3 tumours and 0% patients with T4 disease. Five-year DSS was 85% for all T1/T2 tumours, 53% for T3 tumours and 0% for T4 tumours. Clear resection margins was the only significant predictor of DSS in our cohort. CONCLUSIONS: The mainstay of treatment for TBSCC is temporal bone resection with tumour free resection margins, with or without adjuvant radiotherapy. Survival is negatively influenced by non-radical resection. T1 and T2 tumours can be managed safely with LTBR. More advanced disease requires a more extensive resection, with a higher likelihood of non-radical resections and decreased survival rates.

Neuroendocrine neoplasms of the middle ear: Unpredictable tumor behavior and tendency for recurrence.

BACKGROUND: Middle ear adenomatous neuroendocrine tumors (MEANTs) are rare temporal bone tumors. This study evaluates its clinical behavior and therapy outcome. METHOD: Retrospective case review in a tertiary referral center evaluating histopathology, immunohistochemistry, treatment, and outcome. RESULTS: Nine patients were diagnosed with MEANT. One patient presented with locally invasive tumor and underwent extensive en-bloc tumor resection with adjuvant radiotherapy. Seven of eight patients with locally non-aggressive tumor confined to the tympanomastoid space underwent tumor resection. Two patients were disease-free, five presented recurrence, even after apparent successful surgery. All tumors showed neuroendocrine features. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry did not yield prognostic tumor characteristics. CONCLUSION: MEANTs are rare tumors with uncertain biological behavior and subsequent unpredictable clinical course. The preferred treatment is complete surgical tumor resection. They have a high tendency for recurrence, irrespective of negative intermediary surgery. As of yet, there are no prognostic biomarkers, including histopathology and immunohistochemistry.

A Critical Look Into Stapedotomy Learning Curve: Influence of Patient Characteristics and Different Criteria Defining Success.

PURPOSE: To evaluate stapedotomy learning curve with cumulative summation methodology using different success criteria (ie, air-bone gap [ABG] ≤10 dB, ABG ≤15 dB, restoration of interaural symmetry, or hearing threshold gain >20 dB), and to assess patient characteristics influencing or modifying the learning curve. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of primary and revision stapedotomy cases performed by surgeon 1 (S1, n = 78) and surgeon 2 (S2, n = 85). RESULTS: Using the classic criterion for a successful stapedotomy (ABG ≤10 dB), patients with preoperative ABG >34 dB were associated with unsuccessful procedures (S1 P = .02; S2 P = .07). Revision surgery was associated with unsuccessful outcomes (S1 P = .005; S2 P = .0012). Cumulative summation plots using different criteria did not show a linear trend of association between stapedotomy success and number of operations, but preoperative characteristics of the patients who underwent stapedotomy significantly influenced the plots. Cumulative summation plots showed an initial increasing tendency with improving results, but when ear surgeons got more skilled, they operated on more complex cases (ie, patients with higher preoperative ABG or revision stapedotomy) and they could not meet the success criteria. CONCLUSIONS: Cumulative summation plots do not seem useful to evaluate the stapedotomy learning curve, as they do not correctly deal with heterogeneous case series. The increasing complexity of the stapedotomy patients during the surgeons' career impacts on the outcome of stapedotomy and confounds the evaluation of the growing skills of the surgeon. Stapedotomy audiological success rates are strongly influenced by the success criteria used.

Evaluation of the modified Pittsburgh classification for predicting the disease-free survival outcome of squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal.

BACKGROUND: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the external auditory canal (EAC) is a rare disease, which is commonly classified with the modified Pittsburgh classification. Our aim was to evaluate the predictive performance of this classification in relation to disease-free survival (DFS). METHODS: We examined retrospective data from a nationwide Dutch cohort study including patients with primary EAC SCC. These data were combined with individual patient data from the literature. Using the combined data, the predictive performances were calculated using the c-index. RESULTS: A total of 381 patients were included, 294 for clinical and 281 for the pathological classification analyses. The c-indices of the clinical and the pathological modified Pittsburgh classification predicting DFS were 0.725 (0.668-0.782) and 0.729 (0.672-0.786), respectively. CONCLUSION: The predictive performance of the modified Pittsburgh classification system as such appears to be acceptable to predict the DFS of EAC SCC. Other factors need to be added to a future model to improve the predicted performance.

Cochlear Implantation in Adults With Asymmetric Hearing Loss: Benefits of Bimodal Stimulation.

OBJECTIVE: This study addresses the outcome of cochlear implantation in addition to hearing aid use in patients with asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective longitudinal study. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Seven adults with asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss, i.e., less than 30% aided speech recognition in their worst hearing ear and 60 to 85% speech recognition in their best hearing ear. All patients had a postlingual onset of their hearing loss and less than 20 years of auditory deprivation of their worst hearing ear. INTERVENTION: Cochlear implantation in the functionally deaf ear. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Speech recognition in quiet, speech recognition in noise, spatial speech recognition, localization abilities, music appreciation, and quality of life. Measurements were performed before cochlear implantation and 3, 6, and 12 months after cochlear implantation. RESULTS: Before cochlear implantation, the average speech recognition of the ear fitted with a hearing aid was 74%. Cochlear implantation eventually resulted in an average speech recognition of 75%. Bimodal stimulation yielded speech recognition scores of 82, 86, and 88% after 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. At all time intervals, bimodal stimulation resulted in a significantly better speech recognition as compared with stimulation with only hearing aid or only cochlear implant (CI). Speech recognition in noise and spatial speech recognition significantly improved as well as the ability to localize sounds and the quality of life. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that patients are able to successfully integrate electrical stimulation with contralateral acoustic amplification and benefit from bimodal stimulation. Therefore, we think that cochlear implantation should be considered in this particular group of patients, even in the presence of substantial residual hearing on the contralateral side.

Stapedotomy in cochlear implant candidates with far advanced otosclerosis: a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of stapedotomy in cochlear implant candidates with far-advanced otosclerosis (FAO). DESIGN: Systematic review of literature and meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched for "stapedotomy" and "far-advanced otosclerosis" and their synonyms. The search was carried out on November 28, 2013; no language restrictions were applied. STUDY SELECTION: The initial search yielded 243 articles; a total of nine articles met our inclusion criteria (i.e., patients with FAO and aided speech recognition scores of ≤50%) and were included in this review. In addition, a group of five patients (seven stapedotomies) of our own center was also included in this meta-analysis. DATA EXTRACTION: The methodologic quality of included studies was assessed by examining the study design, level of evidence, method of measurement, and adequacy of outcome reporting. The speech recognition scores before and after stapedotomy as well as the pure-tone average before and after stapedotomy were extracted. DATA SYNTHESIS: A random-effects model was fitted for calculating weighted means. The mean preoperative speech recognition score was 11%; stapedotomy resulted in a mean postoperative speech recognition score of 59%. The mean preoperative and postoperative pure-tone averages were 112 dB HL and 80 dB HL, respectively. Seventy-two percent of the patients no longer met the criterion for cochlear implantation (CI) (i.e., <50% speech recognition), and 35% of the patients reached a postoperative aided speech recognition of more than 80%. CONCLUSION: Stapedotomy combined with hearing aid fitting results in a good outcome in a substantial amount of CI candidates with FAO. We feel that a stapedotomy should be attempted before considering CI in all patients with FAO. In patients with bilateral otosclerosis, a contralateral stapedotomy may offer patients the benefits of binaural processing. If bilateral stapedotomy yields an unsatisfactory outcome, the option for CI is still open.

Magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of patients with sensorineural hearing loss caused by meningitis: implications for cochlear implantation.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the role of MRI in the evaluation of patients with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) caused by meningitis. Gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted MRI (GdMRI) and 3D heavily weighted T2-weighted MRI (T2MRI) were associated with the occurrence of SNHL and the peroperative surgical findings during cochlear implantation, respectively. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary referral otology and cochlear implant center. PATIENTS: Seventeen patients who developed SNHL after bacterial meningitis were evaluated with MRI. Twenty-one cochlear implantations were performed in 11 patients with severe bilateral SNHL. Six patients developed unilateral SNHL and did not receive a CI. INTERVENTIONS: MRI scans were independently scored by 3 observers. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and interobserver reproducibility were calculated. RESULTS: Cochlea enhancement on GdMRI was present in 87% of the ears affected by SNHL. In patients with unilateral SNHL, a nonenhancing cochlea predicted the preservation of hearing on the ipsilateral side. In all cases with an incomplete electrode insertion (6/21), loss of cochlear patency was already seen on T2MRI. However, loss of fluid was also found in 29% of the cases in which full electrode insertion was achieved. CONCLUSION: MRI is crucial for decision making in patients with SNHL after meningitis. Diminished cochlear patency, as seen on T2MRI, is related to electrode insertion difficulty but does not always preclude full electrode insertion in cochlear implantation. Cochlear enhancement on GdMRI is associated with the occurrence of SNHL.

Decision making in advanced otosclerosis: an evidence-based strategy.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To propose an evidence-based strategy for the management of patients with advanced otosclerosis accompanied by severe to profound hearing loss. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review of the literature and development of treatment guidelines. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted on (advanced) otosclerosis and cochlear implantation or stapedotomy. We focused on hearing results, radiological findings, and surgical complications. Based on the results of the literature review and our own experience, we suggest a strategy to make decisions for the treatment of patients with advanced otosclerosis. RESULTS: In cases of severe mixed hearing loss due to advanced otosclerosis, hearing aids may not result in optimal hearing rehabilitation, and cochlear implantation can be considered. However, there could be specific surgical dilemmas concerning cochlear implantation in advanced otosclerosis due to otospongiotic foci around, and otosclerotic foci within, the cochlea. Decision making in these patients can be difficult, especially because a stapedotomy may still be an effective treatment next to hearing aids. An algorithm is presented, based on the speech discrimination score, computed tomography classification and the air-bone gap, which will guide the surgeon to either cochlear implantation, stapedotomy, or a hearing aid and follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: To achieve optimal hearing with minimal disadvantages in patients with otosclerosis and severe to profound hearing loss, an algorithm can help in the selection of patients for either cochlear implantation, stapedotomy, or hearing aids and follow-up.

The value of nuclear scans in cochlear implant infections.

We discuss the diagnostic value of nuclear scintigraphy in the management of infections after cochlear implantation. A 56-year-old female (Case 1) and a 46-year-old female (Case 2) developed complaints of diffuse headache, 4 and 5 months after cochlear implantation, without other signs of infection during examination, laboratorial testing and initial computed tomography. In Case 1 we performed a technetium 99 m-difosfate scintigraphy, which showed an increased uptake in the right petrosal bone, suggestive of chronic osteomyelitis. This case failed conservative treatment and underwent complete explantation, after which 67gallium-citrate single-photon emission computed tomography normalized during follow-up. In Case 2 inflammation at the site of the cochlear implant was confirmed by performing a positron emission tomography scan, which showed an increased uptake. Case 2 was treated successfully with antibiotics. Both have no signs of recurrent infection. Nuclear scintigraphy can be the single valuable tool in case of a late low-grade infection after cochlear implantation. Delayed low-grade chronic osteomyelitis of the petrosal bone is a rare but dramatic complication after cochlear implantation. It can develop with minimal signs of infection.

Monitoring of laryngopharyngeal reflux: influence of meals and beverages.

Ambulatory 24-hour double-probe pH monitoring seems to be the best test to measure reflux. Artifacts caused by intake of acid foods and beverages have to be excluded, necessitating a time-consuming manual review of the 24-hour data. Dietary restrictions used to bypass these artifacts would interfere with the normal daily life situation. Therefore, the influence of food and beverages ingested during the monitoring period was studied. Data from 252 patients who underwent double-probe pH monitoring were analyzed, first by visual inspection of the 24-hour tracing and second by leaving out the intake periods. As to the registration of gastroesophageal reflux, the inclusion or omission of meals and beverages hardly influenced the data. However, the registration of laryngopharyngeal reflux was severely biased by intake of food and beverages and other artifacts. Leaving out meals and beverages did not correct for all artifacts. Therefore, we recommend review of each laryngopharyngeal pH drop.