Dexamethasone treatment of murine auditory hair cells and cochlear explants attenuates tumor necrosis factor-α-initiated apoptotic damage.

The most common cause of sensorineural hearing loss is damage of auditory hair cells. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is closely associated with sensorineural hearing loss. The present study examined the preconditioning effect of dexamethasone (DEX) on TNF-α-induced ototoxicity in mouse auditory hair cells (HEI-OC1) and cochlear explants. Treatment of HEI-OC1 with 10 ng/ml TNF-α for 24 h decreased cell viability, increased the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and induced caspase-mediated apoptotic signaling pathways. Pretreatment with 10 nM DEX for 6 h before TNF-α exposure restored cell viability, decreased ROS accumulation, and attenuated apoptotic signaling activation induced by TNF-α. Incubation of cochlear explants with 20 ng/ml TNF-α for 24 h resulted in significant loss of both inner hair cells (IHCs) and outer hair cells (OHCs) and an increase in apoptotic activation accessed by annexin V staining. The cochlear explants pre-incubated with 10 nM DEX attenuated TNF-α ototoxicity in both IHCs and OHCs and apoptotic cell death. These results indicated that DEX plays a protective role in ototoxicity induced by TNF-α through attenuation of caspase-dependent apoptosis signaling pathway and ROS accumulation.

Prevalence of vestibular migraine in an otolaryngologic clinic: Preliminary clinical diagnosis versus diagnosis according to the strictly applied Bárány criteria.

BACKGROUND: Diagnostic criteria of vestibular migraine (VM) by the Bárány classification consists of complex combinations of characteristics of dizziness: episodes, intensity, duration, migraine according to International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD), and migraine features accompanying vertigo. The prevalence according to strictly applied Bárány criteria may be much lower than preliminary clincal diagnosis. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of VM according to strictly applied Bárány criteria among dizzy patients who visited the otolaryngology department. METHODS: The medical records of patients with dizziness from December 2018 to November 2020 were retrospectively searched using a clinical big data system. The patients completed a questionnaire designed to identify VM according to Bárány classification. Microsoft Excel function formulas were used to identify cases that met the criteria. RESULTS: During the study period, 955 new patients visited the otolaryngology department complaining of dizziness, of which 11.6% were assessed as preliminary clinical diagnosis of VM in outpatient clinic. However, VM according to strictly applied Bárány criteria accounted for only 2.9% of dizzy patients. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of VM according to strictly applied Bárány criteria could be significantly lower than that of preliminary clinical diagnosis in outpatient clinic.

Differential Involvement of Lateral Semicircular Canal and Otolith Organs in Common Vestibular Disorders.

Semicircular canal and otolith functions came to be evaluated recently, but comprehensive and comparative analysis of canal and otolith dysfunction in common vestibular disorders is lacking. We aimed to analyze the abnormal rates of canal and otolith function in common vestibular disorders. We enrolled 302 patients who were managed for 2 months in a dizziness clinic. Results of caloric, video head impulse test (vHIT), and cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP and oVEMP) tests were analyzed and compared among various diagnoses. Vestibular disorders diagnosed included recurrent vestibulopathy (RV, 27%), vestibular migraine (VM, 21%), benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV, 17%), Meniere's disease (MD, 11%), vestibular neuritis (VN, 10%), orthostatic dizziness (7%), and central lesions (3%). Lateral canal dysfunction was found most in VN (100%) and less commonly in definite MD (75%), RV (46%) and definite VM (29%). Abnormal caloric results were more common than abnormal vHIT in all disorders. Otolith dysfunction was found more frequently than lateral canal dysfunction in most vestibular disorders except VN. An abnormal cVEMP was more frequent in definite MD than the other disorders. Isolated otolith dysfunction without lateral canal dysfunction was the most found in BPPV, followed by definite VM, RV, and definite MD in decreasing order. Various patterns of involvement in canal and otoliths were revealed in vestibular disorders, suggesting different pathogenesis.

Postoperative results of ventilation tube insertion: a retrospective multicenter study for suggestion of grading system of otitis media with effusion.

BACKGROUND: In otitis media with effusion (OME), it is important to know when to surgically intervene and when careful monitoring is more appropriate. This study aimed to visualize and classify the clinical manifestations of OME and the correlation between the new grading system and postoperative results after ventilation tube insertion (VTI). METHODS: We classified the collective 1,012 ears from 506 patients into six groups: grade 0 (no effusion), grade I (scant effusion, but abnormal), grade II (effusion less than half of the tympanic cavity), grade III (effusion over half of the tympanic cavity, with air bubbles), grade IV (complete effusion), and grade V (retracted tympanic membrane or hemotympanum without air bubbles). RESULTS: The mean age at VTI was 5.2 (±2.9) years and mean duration between diagnosis and operation was 4.1 (±1.8) months. Between the grades, the nature of the middle ear effusion was also significantly different (p < 0.001). The duration of ventilation tube retention after VTI was significantly different when compared between two groups: grade I-IV and grade V (p = 0.019). Our results showed that the recurrence rate, as well as rate of revision VTI, increased as the grade increased (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The new grading system of OME using endoscopic otoscope evaluation had a significant correlation with the age at VTI, the nature of middle ear effusion, the recurrence rate of OME, and the rate of revision VTI.

EPHA3 Contributes to Epigenetic Suppression of PTEN in Radioresistant Head and Neck Cancer.

EPHA3, a member of the EPH family, is overexpressed in various cancers. We demonstrated previously that EPHA3 is associated with radiation resistance in head and neck cancer via the PTEN/Akt/EMT pathway; the inhibition of EPHA3 significantly enhances the efficacy of radiotherapy in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms of PTEN regulation through EPHA3-related signaling. Increased DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) and enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) levels, along with increased histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) levels, correlated with decreased levels of PTEN in radioresistant head and neck cancer cells. Furthermore, PTEN is regulated in two ways: DNMT1-mediated DNA methylation, and EZH2-mediated histone methylation through EPHA3/C-myc signaling. Our results suggest that EPHA3 could display a novel regulatory mechanism for the epigenetic regulation of PTEN in radioresistant head and neck cancer cells.

Hearing Outcomes of Stapes Surgery in Children With Stapes Fixation and Ossicular Anomalies.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate hearing outcomes after stapes surgery in children with stapes fixation. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Forty-nine patients (66 ears) aged less than 15 years who received stapes surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Stapes surgery. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Preoperative symptoms, bilateral involvement, pure-tone hearing levels, and perioperative complications were analyzed using paired t test and Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: The chief complaint of all patients was hearing disturbance. Sixteen ears were diagnosed with stapes fixation and an additional congenital ossicular anomaly and 50 ears had only stapes fixation. Preoperative mean bone conduction and air conduction thresholds were 12.0 ±â€Š5.8 dB and 60.9 ±â€Š10.9 dB, respectively. The mean air-bone gap (ABG) was 48.9 ±â€Š12.0 dB in patients with stapes fixation and an ossicular anomaly. The postoperative mean ABG was 23.6 ±â€Š14.5 dB, and the ABG closure was 25.3 ±â€Š18.2 dB. In patients with stapes fixation only, the preoperative mean bone conduction and air conduction thresholds were 14.3 ±â€Š7.5 dB and 49.6 ±â€Š9.5 dB, respectively, and the mean ABG was 35.5 ±â€Š9.6 dB. The postoperative mean ABG was 14.4 ±â€Š10.3 dB, and the ABG closure was 16.2 ±â€Š16.1 dB. The successful results (ABG <20 dB) were 75.8% overall, 56.3% for fixation and an ossicular anomaly, and 82.0% for fixation only. CONCLUSIONS: In children with stapes fixation, hearing loss was worse when the fixation was combined with an ossicular anomaly. Ossicular continuity, especially of the incus, is the most important factor for successful stapes surgery. Appropriate diagnosis and surgical intervention can lead to good results for children with stapes fixation.

Changes in Cortical Auditory Evoked Potentials by Ipsilateral, Contralateral and Binaural Speech Stimulation in Normal-Hearing Adults.

OBJECTIVES: Cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEPs) have been used to examine auditory cortical development or changes in patients with hearing loss. However, there have been no studies analyzing CAEP responses to the different sound stimulation by different stimulation sides. We characterized changes in normal CAEP responses by stimulation sides in normal-hearing adults. METHODS: CAEPs from the right auditory cortex were recorded in 16 adults following unilateral (ipsilateral and contralateral) and bilateral sound stimulation using three speech sounds (/m/, /g/, and /t/). Amplitudes and latencies of the CAEP peaks in three conditions were compared. RESULTS: Contralateral stimulation elicited larger P2-N1 amplitudes (sum of P2 and N1 amplitudes) than ipsilateral stimulation regardless of the stimulation sounds, mostly due to the larger P2 amplitudes obtained, but elicited comparable P2-N1 amplitudes to bilateral stimulation. Although the P2-N1 amplitudes obtained with the three speech sounds were comparable following contralateral stimulation, the /m/ sound elicited the largest P2-N1 amplitude in ipsilateral stimulation condition due to the largest N1 amplitude obtained, whereas /t/ elicited larger a P2-N1 amplitude than /g/ in bilateral stimulation condition due to a larger P2 amplitude. CONCLUSION: Spectrally different speech sounds and input sides are encoded differently at the cortical level in normal-hearing adults. Standardized speech stimuli, as well as specific input sides of speech, are needed to examine normal development or rehabilitation-related changes of the auditory cortex in the future.

T1-Staging for Urinary Bladder Cancer with the Stalk and Inchworm Signs with 3.0 Tesla MRI.

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic utility of the stalk and the inchworm sign on preoperative MRI for detecting superficial bladder cancers, and to compare the diagnostic performance between the stalk and the inchworm sign. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 240 patients (505 tumors) who had undergone radical cystectomy. The tumors were classified as follows: superficial or invasive tumors indicated by the stalk or inchworm sign on 3.0 Tesla MRI. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of the stalk and inchworm signs, by comparing each finding with the postoperative pathologic T stage. We compared diagnostic performance between them statistically. Results: The stalk and inchworm signs showed high specificity (93% and 91%, respectively), positive predictive values (89% and 90%, respectively), and acceptable accuracy (70% and 74%, respectively), but low sensitivity (54% and 61%, respectively) and negative predictive values (60% and 63%, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference between the two signs (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Superficial bladder cancers could be differentiated from invasive tumors using the stalk or inchworm sign on MRI.

Detection of Incidental Prostate Cancer or Urothelial Carcinoma Extension in Urinary Bladder Cancer Patients by Using Multiparametric MRI: A Retrospective Study Using Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System Version 2.0.

Purpose: The study aimed to investigate the role of Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2 (PI-RADS v2) in predicting incidental prostate cancer (PCa) or urothelial carcinoma (UCa) extension in urinary bladder (UB) cancer patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 72 UB cancer patients who underwent radical cystoprostatectomy and 3 Tesla multiparametric MRI before surgery were enrolled. PI-RADS v2 ratings were assigned by two independent radiologists. All prostate specimens were examined by a single pathologist. We compared the multiparametric MRI findings rated using PI-RADS v2 with the pathologic data. Results: Of the 72 UB cancer patients, 29 had incidental PCa (40.3%) and 20 showed UCa extension (27.8%), with an overlap for 3 patients. With a score of 4 as the cut-off value for predicting incidental PCa, the diagnostic accuracy was 65.3%, specificity was 90.7%, and positive predictive value (PPV) was 66.7%. The diagnostic accuracy for incidental UCa extension was 47.2%, specificity was 92.3%, and PPV was 83.3%. Conclusion: Despite the low diagnostic accuracy, the PPV and specificity were relatively high. Therefore, PI-RADS v2 scores of 1, 2, or 3 may help exclude the probability of incidental PCa or UCa extension.

Speech Perception Growth Patterns in Prelingual Deaf Children With Bilateral Sequential Cochlear Implantation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate speech perception following the first (CI-1) and second (CI-2) cochlear implantation (CI) in children with sequential bilateral CI. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective. PATIENTS: Seventy children with follow-up for 60 months post CI-1 and 36 months post CI-2. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Word recognition score (WRS) was the main outcome. WRSs were compared by age at CI operation (group A ≤ 3.5 yr, B 3.6-8.6, for CI-1; group I ≤ 3.5 yr, II 3.6-7.0, III 7.1-13, IV > 13, for CI-2). RESULTS: For CI-1, the WRS of group A exceeded 80% at 24 months post procedure, earlier than group B (54 mo). Group A also had a shorter period of CI-1 use up to the WRS plateau than group B. CI-2 showed an initial burst of WRS growth much earlier than CI-1. This initial burst was most robust within 3 months in group II, but modest in group IV. The periods of CI-2 use (11-17 mo) up to the WRS plateau were much shorter than CI-1 (40-64 mo). Group I did not show the best WRS at 1 month post CI but later exceeded the other groups. CONCLUSION: Children received an immediate benefit by a burst of WRS growth from CI-2 earlier than CI-1, even within 3 months, suggesting that CI-1 gets the auditory cortex ready to foster speech processing from CI-2. The CI-2 performance depends on age at CI-2 implantation and on CI-1 performance. Our current findings will be relevant for clinicians who are counselling parents on CI-2 surgery.

Outcome of Cochlear Implantation in Children With Narrow Bony Cochlear Nerve Canal.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the diameter of the bony cochlear nerve canal (BCNC) as a prognostic indicator of cochlear implantation (CI) in children. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Two hundred ninety two prelingual deaf children (323 ears) who received CI before the age of 5 years. INTERVENTIONS: CI in pediatric patients. MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURES: Postoperative auditory performance was analyzed according to the diameter of the BCNC using the Mann-Whitney U test. Using the images of temporal bone computed tomography, patients were grouped according to the diameter of the BCNC: narrow (<1.4 mm, Group 1), normal (Group 2), and other anomalies (Group 3). RESULTS: Group 1 (10.5%) showed a less significant degree of improvement in category of audiological performance (CAP) score than Groups 2 (57.3%) and 3 (32.2%). Scores obtained from both the open-set monosyllabic words and sentence tests were lower in Group 1 than Groups 2 and 3. Of the patients with narrow BCNC, the CAP score of patient with complete stenosis of BCNC (<0.2 mm) was lower than that of patients with BCNC between 0.2 and 0.8 mm, also 0.8 and 1.4 mm. CONCLUSIONS: The improvement in auditory performance was limited in children with narrow BCNC and the narrower the BCNC, the more severe the limitation. However, gradual improvement can be expected and even children with narrow BCNC may be candidates for early CI and rehabilitation.

Management of Ménière's Disease: How Does the Coexistence of Vestibular Migraine Affect Outcomes?

OBJECTIVE: To report the incidence of vestibular migraine (VM) in patients with Ménière's disease (MD) and investigate whether management outcomes of MD differ by the association of VM. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary care academic center. PATIENTS: MD patients (n = 251) with/without VM who were managed for 5 years in a dizziness clinic. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Influence of VM on management outcomes and hearing at the latest follow-up in stepwise management options. RESULTS: Incidence of VM was 35% in MD patients. VM was more common in women than men (40 vs. 22%) and in probable MD than definite MD (43 vs. 29%). Bilateral MD was more frequent with coexistence of VM than without VM in definite MD (14 vs. 0%) as well as probable MD (24 vs. 7%). At the latest follow-up, preventive medications were effective in controlling vertigo in most (80%) patients (74%/90% in definite/probable MD). Additional intratympanic steroids were required in 16% (20%/10% in definite/probable MD) and intratympanic gentamicin or surgeries in 9 (6%) patients with intractable MD. The percentage of intractable MD did not differ with coexistence of VM, though definite MD showed a significantly higher percentage of intractable MD than probable MD (6 vs. 0%, respectively, p = 0.002). Worsening hearing was more frequent in definite MD than probable MD (19 vs. 4%), and association of VM did not influence the incidence of worsening hearing. CONCLUSIONS: Coexistence of VM was about 30 to 40% in definite and probable MD, especially frequent in bilateral MD (77%) and women with probable MD (50%), requiring identification of coexisting VM while managing MD patients. Management outcomes and worsening hearing in MD patients are not dependent on the coexistence of VM, when both are managed.

Changes of visualised Eustachian tube lengths by age and position: Radiologic study in sitting and supine positions using cone beam and conventional CT.

OBJECTIVES: Patulous eustachian tube (ET) has been characterised by the visualisation of full-length ET on computed tomography (CT) results. We wanted to investigate the changes of visualised ET lengths by age in supine and sitting positions. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Tertiary care academic referral centre. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred subjects who underwent cone beam CT (CBCT) in a sitting position and conventional CT in a supine position for non-otitis-related or dental complaints. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visualised ET lengths from the nasopharyngeal orifice measured by different positions and ages. RESULTS: Subjects did not show visualisation of full-length ET throughout the study. The visualised ET lengths (9.0 ± 2.5 mm) of the CBCT group were significantly larger than those (6.8 ± 2.3 mm) of the conventional CT group (P < 0.0001).Women showed longer visualised ET lengths than men in CBCT group (P < 0.001). The visualised ET lengths of the CBCT group were consistent or slightly increasing as a function of age (P = 0.06); however, the visualised ET lengths of the conventional CT group decreased as a function of age (P = 0.001). The slopes of regression lines of the two groups were significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: When in the supine position, the ET lengths gradually shortened as the subjects got older, most likely due to venous engorgement and the collapse of surrounding tissues; this finding thus suggests that CT in a supine position is an inappropriate method to diagnose patulous ET. The visualised ET lengths by CBCT in a sitting position were consistent throughout the different ages of the subjects and may be used as a diagnostic test for patulous ET.

Differences in video head impulse test gains from right versus left or outward versus inward head impulses.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of the right/left and outward/inward head impulses on video head impulse test (vHIT) gains. METHODS: Video head impulse test gains were calculated by recording the right eye movements with an infrared camera in a cohort of 24 healthy subjects (26-39 years old, 30 ± 9 years old). We compared the vHIT gains in four different situations in which the right and left lateral semicircular canals (LSCC) were stimulated through outward or inward head impulses. RESULTS: The vHIT gains from stimulating the right LSCC were significantly larger than those stimulating the left LSCC, regardless of whether the head impulse was outward or inward (1.06 ± 0.1 by right outward vs. 0.98 ± 0.08 by left outward, P = 0.003; 1.02 ± 0.1 by right inward vs. 0.92 ± 0.07 by left inward, P < 0.0001). The mean difference in vHIT gain between stimulating the right or left LSCC was 0.09. The gains from outward vHITs were significantly larger than those from the inward tests, regardless of the LSCC side stimulated (1.06 ± 0.1 from right outward vs. 1.02 ± 0.1 from right inward, both stimulating the right LSCC, P = 0.013; 0.98 ± 0.08 from left outward vs. 0.92 ± 0.07 from left inward, both stimulating the left LSCC, P = 0.001). The mean difference in the vHIT gains between the outward and inward tests was 0.05. CONCLUSION: The right/left vHIT gain difference (0.09) is higher than the outward/inward vHIT gain difference (0.05). These are independently significant differences when using a vHIT system, which records movements in the right eye. An understanding of these differences may be helpful when interpreting vHIT results. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 129:1675-1679, 2019.

Cochlear Implantation in Postlingually Deaf Adults is Time-sensitive Towards Positive Outcome: Prediction using Advanced Machine Learning Techniques.

Given our aging society and the prevalence of age-related hearing loss that often develops during adulthood, hearing loss is a common public health issue affecting almost all older adults. Moderate-to-moderately severe hearing loss can usually be corrected with hearing aids; however, severe-to-profound hearing loss often requires a cochlear implant (CI). However, post-operative CI results vary, and the performance of the previous prediction models is limited, indicating that a new approach is needed. For postlingually deaf adults (n de120) who received CI with full insertion, we predicted CI outcomes using a Random-Forest Regression (RFR) model and investigated the effect of preoperative factors on CI outcomes. Postoperative word recognition scores (WRS) served as the dependent variable to predict. Predictors included duration of deafness (DoD), age at CI operation (ageCI), duration of hearing-aid use (DoHA), preoperative hearing threshold and sentence recognition score. Prediction accuracy was evaluated using mean absolute error (MAE) and Pearson's correlation coefficient r between the true WRS and predicted WRS. The fitting using a linear model resulted in prediction of WRS with r = 0.7 and MAE = 15.6 ± 9. RFR outperformed the linear model (r = 0.96, MAE = 6.1 ± 4.7, p < 0.00001). Cross-hospital data validation showed reliable performance using RFR (r = 0.91, MAE = 9.6 ± 5.2). The contribution of DoD to prediction was the highest (MAE increase when omitted: 14.8), followed by ageCI (8.9) and DoHA (7.5). After CI, patients with DoD < 10 years presented better WRSs and smaller variations (p < 0.01) than those with longer DoD. Better WRS was also explained by younger age at CI and longer-term DoHA. Machine learning demonstrated a robust prediction performance for CI outcomes in postlingually deaf adults across different institutes, providing a reference value for counseling patients considering CI. Health care providers should be aware that the patients with severe-to-profound hearing loss who cannot have benefit from hearing aids need to proceed with CI as soon as possible and should continue using hearing aids until after CI operation.

Fluoroscopic balloon diameter measurement at different pressures during Eustachian balloon dilation.

OBJECTIVES: To measure the diameter of inflated balloons at different pressures during Eustachian tube (ET) balloon dilation under fluoroscopic guidance. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary academic referral centre. PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen patients who underwent ET balloon dilation with use of a balloon catheter, 20 mm long and 6 mm in diameter, under combined endoscopic and fluoroscopic guidance. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Degrees of inflation at three different portions (proximal, middle and distal) of the balloon at controlled pressures (3, 5, 8 and 10 atmospheres [atm]) and at the maximum pressure manually applied. RESULTS: The mean proximal, middle and distal diameters of the inflated balloons were 5.3 ± 0.4 mm, 5.3 ± 0.4 mm and 4.9 ± 0.5 mm at 10 atm. The distal diameters were significantly smaller than middle and proximal diameters at all the pressures (P < 0.01). When compared to the distal diameter (100%, 4.9 ± 0.5 mm) at 10 atm, the distal diameters were 73% (3.6 ± 0.6 mm) at 3 atm, 88% (4.3 ± 0.5 mm) at 5 atm and 96% (4.7 ± 0.4 mm) at 8 atm. The distal diameter (4.1 ± 0.3 mm) at the maximum pressure manually applied was in between those at 3 and 5 atm. CONCLUSIONS: The distal diameter of the balloon increased significantly as a function of the pressure and most (88%) inflation occurred at a low pressure of 5 atm, which was sufficient to inflate the distal diameter of the balloon more than 3 mm. The manual pressurisation could inflate a balloon by as much as could be expected, at between 3 and 5 atm.

Changes of video head impulse test results in lateral semicircular canal plane by different peak head velocities in patients with vestibular neuritis.

BACKGROUND: The peak head velocity influences on the video head impulse test (vHIT) results, but it has been not known how much the difference is. AIMS: To evaluate the clinical evidence for the superiority of high-velocity compared to low-velocity vHIT. MATERIAL AND METHODS: vHIT was performed in 30 patients with vestibular neuritis using two peak head velocities (mean 80 vs. 240°/s). vHIT gains and parameters of corrective saccades (CSs) were compared. A vHIT gain of ≤0.8 or a peak CS velocity of ≥100°/s was considered pathologic. RESULTS: The vHIT gains were significantly lower (mean 0.5 vs. 0.6), and GA was larger (35 vs. 25%) at high-velocity vHIT, compared to low-velocity vHIT. CSs were significantly more frequent (100 vs. 80%) and peak CS velocities were larger (252 vs. 112°/s) at high-velocity vHIT. The abnormal rates based on vHIT gains were higher (90% vs. 73%) and CSs occurred more frequently (100% vs. 80%) at high-velocity vHIT. The abnormal rates based on the peak CS velocity were significantly higher at high-velocity vHIT (100% vs. 57%). CONCLUSION: High-velocity vHIT is superior to low-velocity vHIT with a difference of 17-20% based on pathologic vHIT gains and presence of CSs.

Transnasal Placement of a Balloon-Expandable Metallic Stent: Human Cadaver Study of the Eustachian Tube.

PURPOSE: To investigate the technical feasibility of stent placement in the cartilaginous portion of the Eustachian tube (ET). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve ETs of 6 cadavers were used. Two different-sized stents were placed on either the right (2.5 mm in diameter) or left (3.5 mm in diameter) side of the ET. The procedural feasibility was assessed by subtraction Eustachian tubography, computed tomography before and after the procedure, and fluoroscopic and endoscopic images. The stent location, inner luminal diameter of the stented ET, radiation dose, procedural time, and fluoroscopy time were analyzed. RESULTS: Stent placement was successful in 11 of 12 cadaveric specimens without procedure-related complications. In the 1 specimen, the balloon catheter with crimped stent was passed into the bony canal of the ET without any resistance. The distal end of the stent was located in the middle ear cavity. Stents were located within the cartilaginous portion of the ET (n = 1), the proximal tip bridging the nasopharyngeal orifice of the ET (n = 5), or the proximal end of the stent protruded from the tubal orifice (n = 5). The mean luminal diameter in the outer segment was significantly smaller than in the middle (P < .001) and inner (P < .001) segments. The mean procedure time was 128 ± 37 seconds. The mean radiation dose and fluoroscopy time of each cadaver were 3235.4 ± 864.8 cGy/cm2 and 139 ± 49 seconds, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Stent placement of the ET under endoscopic and fluoroscopic guidance is technically feasible in a human cadaver model.

Prognostic roles of preoperative CT findings and air-bone gaps in type 1 tympanoplasty.

BACKGROUND: Although CT has been used widely, the role of preoperative CT findings including other factors in tympanoplasty has not been elucidated comprehensively. AIMS/OBJECTIVES: To evaluate relationship of CT findings with other factors and audiological results in type 1 tympanoplasty. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cohort of consecutive 175 patients with type 1 tympanoplasty was enrolled. Addition of mastoidectomy was based on the presence of soft tissue in antrum on CT. Postoperative air-bone gap (ABG) and reperforation rate were analyzed. RESULTS: Positive soft tissue in antrum on CT was found in 52 (29.7%) patients and showed larger preoperative ABG than the negative group. Successful ABG closure (≤20 dB) was obtained in 97% when preoperative ABG ≤20 dB, but it decreased as the preoperative ABG increased (83% with preoperative ABG of 21-30 dB, and 0% with preoperative ABG >30 dB). Postoperative reperforation rate was positively related to the preoperative ABG, but not the presence of soft tissue in the antrum, the size, or locations of preoperative perforations. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: Our findings showed that temporal bone CT was helpful in determining addition of mastoidectomy and the presence of soft tissue in the antrum was associated with large ABG.