Comparison of 2 Different Intratympanic Methylprednisolone Injection Schedules in Combination With Intravenous Dexamethasone for Unilateral Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is a common otologic disease in clinic. Systemic and intratympanic steroid treatment have been proved to be effective, but the regimens vary from center to center. The purpose of the study is to analyze the effects of the combined application of intravenous dexamethasone and intratympanic methylprednisolone injection in different time strategies for the treatment of unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss. A retrospective chart review was performed for the period from March 2016 to June 2018 at our Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. A total number of 61 patients who met the academy criteria for unilateral sudden hearing loss were included and grouped based on the time to introduce intratympanic methylprednisolone. All the patients received intravenous dexamethasone 10 mg once daily for 5 days, followed 5 mg once daily for the next 7 days. Intratympanic methylprednisolone (40 mg) was injected every other day 4 times into all patients. This regimen was commenced on day 1 in group 1 and on day 6 in group 2. The pre and posttreatment pure-tone audiograms were analyzed. Sixty-one patients met our inclusion criteria. No significant differences were observed between patients' demographics or pretreatment hearing thresholds. In the 3 months posttreatment pure-tone audiogram assessment, the mean hearing threshold improvement were similar between groups with no frequency specificity. The curative rate in both groups were similar and satisfying. Two patients with diabetes mellitus had persistent small perforations. Some patients had other transient discomfort that disappeared before discharge. The different timing of initiation of intratympanic methylprednisolone injection does not significantly affect the outcome of the treatment for sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Thus, we suggest that intratympanic steroid injection should not be applied as a first-line method except for patients who do not respond early to systemic steroid therapy.

A two-stage inversion technique for total auricular reconstruction: case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: The reconstruction of a total amputated auricle is aesthetically demanding for otorhinolaryngology surgeons. Although various reattachment methods have been introduced since 1898, only a few have achieved satisfactory aesthetic outcomes. This study aimed to present a successful case of auricular reconstruction using a two-stage inversion technique. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient's left ear was extensively lacerated in a violent event 3 h before admission. The first-stage surgery was performed within 6 h of ischemic time. The amputated segment was prepared and trimmed carefully, and the anterior aspect of the avulsed auricle was directly sutured. The posterior skin of the ear was separated from the cartilage to close the wound. Then, using an inversion maneuver, the cartilage was pushed into a postauricular underlying muscle bed. In the second-stage surgery 27 days after the first procedure, the auricle was released and the normal ear structure was restored using full-thickness skin grafting. During a follow-up of more than 9 years, the patient showed satisfactory postoperative results in terms of cosmetic and functional outcomes of the reattached auricle. The size of his left ear was about 90% of the size of his right ear. CONCLUSIONS: The reconstruction of a total amputated auricle is challenging. The key to surgery lies in the sufficient preservation of the meticulous shape of the cartilage. The microsurgical anastomosis is a good choice only in selected cases. It is believed that the two-stage inversion technique can be a simple alternative to reconstruct the auricle in most situations when it is lacerated and contaminated.

Cystic metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma presenting as branchial cleft cyst: report of two cases and review of the literature.

PURPOSE: To describe the differential diagnosis between solitary cystic metastatic carcinoma from branchial cleft cyst and provide references for clinicians to treat cystic metastases from primary sites of the head and neck region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two cases of cystic metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) are presented and a review of the relevant English literature on cystic metastasis from head and neck cancer was performed. RESULTS: Two adult patients with a lateral cystic neck mass were initially clinically diagnosed as branchial cleft cysts. Based on the postoperative histopathologic examination and nasopharyngeal blind biopsy, they were finally diagnosed as cystic metastases from occult nasopharyngeal carcinoma. After a review of the literature, diagnostic strategies, histopathologic features, and therapeutic options for cervical cystic metastases were discussed. CONCLUSION: Cervical cystic metastasis of NPC in adults may mimic branchial cleft cyst in clinical, radiological, and even histological features. Surgeons should bear in mind that when lateral neck cysts with characteristics of suspected malignancy are confronted, nasopharynx examination, including blind or random biopsy, is highly recommended before surgery. Metastatic disease should always be considered as a potential differential diagnosis in adult patients with a cystic neck lesion. Correct diagnosis is important so that appropriate surgical and radiotherapeutic treatment can be delivered.