Healthcare consumption among subjects with otitis media undergoing middle ear surgery-analysis of cost drivers.

PURPOSE: To map healthcare utilized by subjects with chronic otitis media, with or without cholesteatoma and perform a cost analysis to determine key drivers of healthcare expenditure. METHODS: A registry study of 656 adult subjects with chronic otitis media that underwent a middle ear surgery between 2014 and 2018. Healthcare contacts related to all publicly funded specialist ENT care, audiological care and primary care for a disease of the ear and mastoid process were extracted. The data are extracted from the Swedish National Patient Registry on subjects that reside in western Sweden. RESULTS: Subjects made 13,782 healthcare contacts at a total cost 61.1 million SEK (6.0 million EUR) between 2014 and 2018. The mean cost per subject was 93,075 SEK (9071 EUR) and ranged between 3971 SEK (387 EUR) and 468,711 SEK (45,683 EUR) per individual. In the most expensive quartile of subjects, mean cost was 192,353 SEK (18,747 EUR) over the 5-year period. These subjects made 3227 ENT contacts (roughly four each year) and 60% of total costs were associated with in-patient ENT care. CONCLUSION: Patients with chronic otitis media are associated with high ENT resource utilization that does not diminish after surgical intervention and the disease places a long-term burden on healthcare systems. Significant costs are attributed to revision surgeries, indicating that these patients could be managed more effectively. In many such cases, reoperation cannot be avoided, especially due to recurrence of cholesteatoma. However, in some patients, when the indication for subsequent surgery is only hearing improvement, alternative options, such as hearing aids or implants, should also be considered. This is especially true in difficult cases, where revision ossiculoplasty is likely.

Primary external auditory canal meningioma: Case report and review of the literature.

Meningiomas are tumors that arise from arachnoid cells attached to both the pia mater and the inner portion of the arachnoid. They are common intracranial tumors, representing 12-25% of intracranial neoplasms. Intracranial meningiomas can spread extracranially to involve surrounding structures, including the ear and temporal bone. Ectopic meningiomas, described as primary meningiomas with no intracranial involvement, are rare. We describe a case of a primary external auditory canal meningioma with no evidence of intracranial involvement. We present pre-operative imaging findings proving no intracranial involvement prior to surgical intervention. A literature review of this uncommon clinical entity is presented and a discussion regarding its prognosis and treatment is reviewed.

Cochlear implant placement: round window approach.

The indications for cochlear implantation continue to extend to patients with increased levels of residual hearing. Single-sided deafness and tinnitus are currently under various clinical trials as even further expansion of the application of cochlear implant device and programming technology is underway. This video details a round window and hearing preservation approach for cochlear implant placement, and incorporates the most recent advances in surgical technique. The video can be found here: http://youtu.be/bDqkbboXrU4 .

Comparing in-clinic versus telehealth for vestibular physical therapy.

BACKGROUND: Vestibular rehabilitation (VR) is a commonly employed treatment method for disorders of dizziness and imbalance. Access to a clinic for rehabilitation appointments can be challenging for a person experiencing dizziness. Telehealth may offer a comparable alternative to clinic-based VR for some patients. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of telehealth-based VR compared to traditional clinic-based VR, as measured with the Dizziness Handicapped Inventory (DHI) in a retrospective sample of patients with vestibular conditions. METHODS: This is a retrospective, multi-institutional review from May 2020 to January 2021. Three study groups were analyzed: a telehealth group, a hybrid group, and a clinic based control group. Treatment efficacy was measured using the DHI. A repeated measures ANCOVA was performed to compare changes between the groups and across timepoints. RESULTS: The repeated measures ANCOVA was not significant for the interaction of groups (control, telehealth, and hybrid) by time (pre and post) (p > 0.05). However, there was a significant main effect for time (pre and post) (p < 0.05). Specifically, all groups improved DHI scores from pre to post treatment with mean differences of control: 31.85 points, telehealth: 18.75 points, and hybrid: 21.45 points. CONCLUSION: Findings showed that in-clinic, telehealth, and hybrid groups demonstrated a decrease in DHI scores, indicating self-reported improvements in the impact of dizziness on daily life. Continued research is recommended to explore the efficacy of using telehealth in assessing and treating vestibular conditions.

Hearing Rehabilitation of Patients with Chronic Otitis Media: A Discussion of Current State of Knowledge and Research Priorities.

Although chronic otitis media is a major cause of conductive and mixed hearing loss, auditory rehabilitation is currently not optimal for this patient group. Planning for hearing rehabilitation must accompany strategies for infection control when surgically managing patients with chronic otitis media. Several barriers prevent adequate hearing restoration in such a heterogeneous patient population. A lack of standardized reporting of surgical interventions, hearing, and quality of life outcomes impedes meta-analyses of existing data and the generation of high- quality evidence, including cost-effectiveness data, through prospective studies. This, in turn, prevents the ability of clinicians to stratify patients based on prognostic indicators, which could guide the decision-making pathway. Strategies to improve reporting standards and methods have the potential to classify patients with chronic otitis media preoperatively, which could guide decision-making for hearing restoration with ossicu- loplasty versus prosthetic hearing devices. Appropriately selected clinical guidelines would not only foster directed research but could enhance patient-centered and evidence-based decision-making regarding hearing rehabilitation in the surgical planning process.

Facial Nerve Grading System 2.0.

OBJECTIVE: To present an updated version of the original Facial Nerve Grading Scale (FNGS), commonly referred to as the House-Brackmann scale. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled trial of grading systems using a series of 21 videos of individuals with varying degrees of facial paralysis. RESULTS: The intraobserver and interobserver agreement was high among the original and revised scales. Nominal improvement is seen in percentage of exact agreement of grade and reduction of instances of examiners differing by more then one grade when using FNGS 2.0. FNGS 2.0 also offers improved agreement in differentiating between grades 3 and 4. CONCLUSION: FNGS 2.0 incorporates regional scoring of facial movement, providing additional information while maintaining agreement comparable to the original scale. Ambiguities regarding use of the grading scale are addressed.

Initial Experience with 3-Dimensional Exoscope-Assisted Transmastoid and Lateral Skull Base Surgery.

Extracorporeal video microscopes, or "exoscopes," provide high-definition views of the operative field and are alternatives to the operating microscope or loupes for large-corridor surgical approaches. In this proof-of-concept study, we aim to determine the feasibility of 3-dimensional exoscopes as alternatives to operating microscopes in otology and neurotology, espeically in conjunction with endoscopes. Eleven consecutive cases were performed using 3-dimensional exoscopes in place of, or as adjuncts to, the operating microscope. The exoscope was the sole visualization tool in 7 cases, with 4 including the use of an endoscope or microscope. There were no perioperative complications. Potential subjective advantages include superior ergonomics, compact size, and an equal visual experience for surgeons and observers. Limitations include low lighting in small surgical corridors and pixilation at high magnification. Exoscopes are potentially viable alternatives to the microscope in otologic and neurotologic surgery.

Clinical Evaluation of the Patient with Otosclerosis.

Otosclerosis is a disorder presenting most commonly with unilateral conductive hearing loss. It can present as a mixed hearing loss also. Evaluation for otosclerosis relies on a specific history and physical examination, including tuning fork assessment and audiometric testing. Otosclerosis differs from other etiologies in that symptoms of imbalance are rare, and the ear most commonly appears normal on otoscopy.

Multicenter US Clinical Trial With an Electric-Acoustic Stimulation (EAS) System in Adults: Final Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of the MED-EL Electric-Acoustic Stimulation (EAS) System, for adults with residual low-frequency hearing and severe-to-profound hearing loss in the mid to high frequencies. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, repeated measures. SETTING: Multicenter, hospital. PATIENTS: Seventy-three subjects implanted with PULSAR or SONATA cochlear implants with FLEX electrode arrays. INTERVENTION: Subjects were fit postoperatively with an audio processor, combining electric stimulation and acoustic amplification. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Unaided thresholds were measured preoperatively and at 3, 6, and 12 months postactivation. Speech perception was assessed at these intervals using City University of New York sentences in noise and consonant-nucleus-consonant words in quiet. Subjective benefit was assessed at these intervals via the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit and Hearing Device Satisfaction Scale questionnaires. RESULTS: Sixty-seven of 73 subjects (92%) completed outcome measures for all study intervals. Of those 67 subjects, 79% experienced less than a 30 dB HL low-frequency pure-tone average (250-1000 Hz) shift, and 97% were able to use the acoustic unit at 12 months postactivation. In the EAS condition, 94% of subjects performed similarly to or better than their preoperative performance on City University of New York sentences in noise at 12 months postactivation, with 85% demonstrating improvement. Ninety-seven percent of subjects performed similarly or better on consonant-nucleus-consonant words in quiet, with 84% demonstrating improvement. CONCLUSION: The MED-EL EAS System is a safe and effective treatment option for adults with normal hearing to moderate sensorineural hearing loss in the low frequencies and severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss in the high frequencies who do not benefit from traditional amplification.

Intracranial pressure concerns in lateral skull base surgery.

This article serves as a concise review of cerebrospinal fluid metabolism and intracranial pressure regulation for otolaryngologists and lateral skull base surgeons. It examines the methodologies for maintaining cerebrospinal fluid homeostasis by preventing and treating acute elevations of intracranial pressure encountered during lateral skull base surgery.

Guiding patients through the choices for treating vestibular schwannomas: balancing options and ensuring informed consent.

Counseling patients who are diagnosed with vestibular schwannomas, formerly known as acoustic neuromas, can be challenging. The health care provider has the responsibility to explain, in understandable language, to the patient or legal representative the proposed treatment options, risks and complications associated with each form of treatment, and alternatives to treatment, including no therapy. Patients should be encouraged to gather information before making a treatment decision. For the physicians managing these patients, information should be delivered in a balanced way to ensure patient understanding of their options leading to adequate informed consent.

Management of cerebrospinal fluid leakage from cochleostomy during cochlear implant surgery.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this retrospective review were to determine the incidence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) otorrhea from the cochleostomy during cochlear implant surgery, to recognize patients at risk, and to determine the appropriate preoperative, postoperative and intraoperative management. METHODS: A chart review from two cochlear implant centers was performed to determine the incidence of CSF otorrhea, patients at risk, and appropriate management. RESULTS: The incidence of CSF gusher is low, encountered in approximately 1% of patients undergoing cochlear implant surgery, and is seen in equal incidence in children and adults in our series. Preoperative imaging was predictive in only 50% of cases. Mechanisms for otorrhea in specific cochlear malformations and in those in which no apparent malformation exists are discussed. Successful implantation is expected in most cases. Intraoperative management may require complete packing of the middle ear space in addition to the cochleostomy to control CSF leak. Lumbar drain is rarely necessary. Outpatient management is possible in the majority of cases. Vaccination and antibiotic prophylaxis is essential. CONCLUSIONS: CSF otorrhea can be encountered in cochlear malformations and in cochleas without apparent malformation. Successful implantation without short-term or long-term complications is expected.

Implantable middle ear hearing devices: current state of technology and market challenges.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review of implantable middle ear hearing devices is relevant to hearing professionals and otolaryngologists as an update of technological developments and the status of performance of current devices used in the United States. The 9th International Conference on Cochlear Implants and related Sciences was conducted 14-17 June in Vienna, Austria. Middle ear implantable devices were considered a 'hot topic', as two fully implantable devices are nearing European CE and FDA approval. RECENT FINDINGS: The main themes in this review focus on the fundamental technology applied to middle ear implantables, currently available devices, an overview of devices now off the US market and on challenges in improving performance and reliability. The necessary interplay with manufacturing devices which are more straightforward to surgically place and affordable enough to be accessed by the eligible population of people with hearing loss is discussed. SUMMARY: Indications for middle ear implantable hearing devices are expanding and the reliability of systems continues to improve. Solving problems related to affordability and access has made little progress in comparison, as evidenced by the poor performance of several 'technologically successful' manufacturers in the US market.

Outcomes review of modern hearing preservation technique in cochlear implant.

INTRODUCTION: Preservation of residual hearing in cochlear implantation is a main concern for patients and otologists. New electrode arrays as well as development of minimally invasive technique have allowed the expansion of indication criteria for cochlear implantation. The loss of residual low-frequency hearing is thought to be the result of many factors. Opinions differ in regards with the electrodes array characteristics, the surgical implantation technique and the pharmacological therapy used. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this research is to analyze the available information pertaining to hearing preservation with cochlear implantation. RESULTS: Both cochleostomy and round window approaches are adequate, but should rely on the anatomic position of the round window membrane. No electrode design had a higher rate of hearing preservation, either a standard or shorter length was used, or a straight or contoured array. The speed of insertion has a significant impact on hearing preservation and vestibular function. A slow insertion should be used for all cochlear implant insertion, hearing preservation or not. However, the optimal speed of insertion is still unclear. Moreover, the use of steroids regardless of the route or the timing, along with intraoperative topical steroids, had a positive impact on hearing preservation. CONCLUSION: Classic atraumatic insertion maneuvers, very slow and delicate insertion and the use of intraoperative corticosteroids improve hearing outcomes. Whichever the surgeon's preferences, all surgical modifications are aimed at the same goal: protection of the delicate intracochlear structures with preservation of residual low-frequency hearing to improve speech perception abilities.

Modification of Osseointegrated Device Parameters to Improve Speech in Noise and Localization Ability: Clinical Recommendations.

OBJECTIVE: To determine how best to modify osseointegrated (OI) devices or environmental settings to maximize hearing performance. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Fourteen adults with single-sided deafness (SSD) with a minimum of 6 months OI usage and nine bilaterally normal hearing controls INTERVENTIONS: : Speech in noise (SIN) and localization ability were assessed in a multi-speaker array (R-Space) with patients repeating sentences embedded in competing noise and verbally indicating the source speaker, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: SIN and localization were assessed with multiple OI microphone settings-fixed-directional, omnidirectional, and adaptive-as well as an unaided (OI off) condition. Participants completed the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit questionnaire. RESULTS: Localization performance remains compromised for OI users with a high number of front-back confusions, but rapid learning using the fixed-directional microphone setting improved localization of sounds on the device side despite poorer localization of sounds on the normal-hearing side. SIN performance is greatly enhanced with speech presented to the contra hearing ear rather than the OI device side. Subjective report of hearing ability is highly predictive of objective SIN measures. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should consider implementing a fixed-directional microphone setting for improved localization for sounds behind the OI device, but inform patients of the trade-off in performance on the normal-hearing side. For better hearing in noise, clinicians should counsel OI recipients to orient the speech signal to their normal hearing ear rather than their OI device. The background noise subscale of the abbreviated profile of hearing aid benefit (APHAB) provides a meaningful metric by which to assess SIN performance of OI device users.

Craniofacial resection for nonmelanoma skin cancer of the head and neck.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: We reviewed our experience with craniofacial resection for advanced, nonmelanoma skin cancer of the head and neck to determine prognostic factors, local control rate, disease free survival, morbidity, and mortality. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of consecutive patients treated at a tertiary referral center from 1982 to 1993. METHODS: Charts of patients having craniofacial resection for aggressive nonmelanoma cutaneous malignancies were reviewed and living patients followed for 10 additional years. Demographics, histology, previous interventions, treatment, surgical pathology, reconstructions, and complications were examined. The product-limit method was used to calculate survival functions, and the log-rank test was used to compare survival distributions. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients, mean age 66.7 years, received treatment at our facility. Follow-up ranged from 2 to 191 (mean 47.4) months. Histology included 20 squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) and 15 basal cell carcinomas (BCC). Sixty percent had craniofacial resection alone, and 28.6% also had postoperative radiotherapy. There were two perioperative deaths, and 37.1% suffered early and 14.3% late surgical complications. Two- and five- year survival was significantly better (P=.02) with BCC (92% and 76%) than with SCC (54% and 24%). Long-term disease-specific survival was 20%, and 11.4% of our subjects were living with disease. Intracranial extension (P=.02), perineural invasion (P=.049), and prior radiotherapy significantly decreased 5-year survival. CONCLUSIONS: Acceptable mortality and morbidity is possible using craniofacial resection to treat advanced nonmelanoma skin cancer. Although disease-specific survival remains poor, positive trends were noted in local control beginning at 2 years of follow-up. Because patients often have few remaining options for cure, craniofacial resection is justified when technically feasible.

Basic principles of cerebrospinal fluid metabolism and intracranial pressure homeostasis.

Significant progress has been made in understanding the production,circulation, and absorption of CSF. In part because of autoregulation, rapid changes in arterial pressure produce parallel but significantly dampened changes in CSF pressure. Chronic arterial hypertension rarely affects ICP,but changes in venous pressure are transmitted directly into the CSF, taking precedence over arterial effects. An understanding of basic CSF physiology,particularly in relation to ICP homeostasis, is important for surgeons treating intracranial hypertension, low ICP pressure, and spontaneous,traumatic, or iatrogenic CSF leakages. The principles discussed in this article are valuable to remember when planning surgical procedures in the head and neck, both to prevent and to treat potential complications related to increased or decreased CSF pressure.

Counseling patients on surgical options for treating acoustic neuroma.

The selection of surgical approach for the removal of AN is a complex one, depending on factors related to specific tumor anatomy, patient characteristics, and the familiarity and skill level of the skull base team.Overall, the literature supports that surgical outcomes are acceptable in regard to tumor removal, patient safety, and complication rates. The inconsistent reporting methods in the current literature make it difficult to assess logically the rates for hearing preservation, facial nerve outcome, and complications as controlled for tumor size and other preoperative patient characteristics. The best conclusions would be from prospective surgical trials controlling for patient factors, size of the tumor, and experience of the skull base team. In the absence of such studies, formal meta-analyses may help clarify specific differences among approaches.

Effects of hyperbaric exposure on the integrity of the internal components of commercially available cochlear implant systems.

HYPOTHESIS: This study investigated whether pressure changes common to scuba diving and to hyperbaric oxygen therapy would not cause crush damage or leakage from critical seals in commercially available cochlear implants. BACKGROUND: The implanted packages of cochlear implants are susceptible to electrical failure caused by leakage from critical seals and to crush injury when exposed to changing barometric pressures encountered in recreational diving and in hyperbaric oxygen therapy. METHODS: Six Clarion 1.2, eight MED-EL Combi-40+, six Nucleus CI22M, and six Nucleus CI24M cochlear implants underwent three exposures at 165 feet of seawater (FSW) (6 ata abs), 99 FSW (4 ata abs), and 60 FSW (2.8 ata abs), simulating rates in accordance with U.S. Navy dive tables for nondecompression dives. Dives to 45 FSW (2.4 ata abs) simulated wound therapy. Before each dive began, after each dive, and after completion of the dive protocol, each device underwent telemetry and electrical integrity checks. All implants were returned to their respective factories for final electrical and quality control testing. RESULTS: All 26 devices completed the dive protocol. One Nucleus CI24M implant had a fault recorded at electrode lead 18 on predive and final product testing, which was absent during interval dive measurements. All 26 devices passed final electrical and quality control testing. In addition, the six Clarion units passed repeat helium leak testing. CONCLUSION: The implanted components of the Clarion 1.2, MED-EL Combi-40+, and Nucleus CI22M and CI24M were safely subjected to repeated pressure changes up to 6 atm abs, equivalent to 165 feet of seawater, without electrical failure from leakage at critical seals or crush damage.

Phase 1 clinical trial results of the Envoy System: a totally implantable middle ear device for sensorineural hearing loss.

OBJECTIVES: This report will present the results of the USA Phase 1 clinical trials for the Envoy System (St. Croix Medical): A totally implantable middle ear hearing system for sensorineural loss. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, single-subject, repeated-measures, multicenter study was performed to evaluate safety and functionality of the Envoy System. Data collected included Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit, bone conduction threshold, speech reception threshold, functional gain, word recognition, and adverse events. Testing was performed unaided, with the patient's best-fit hearing aid, and post device activation at 2 (trial endpoint) and 4 months. RESULTS: Five of 7 patients at the 2-month postactivation period had working systems. All 5 patients perceived benefit increases with the Envoy System over their best-fit hearing aid, including communication in high background noise levels. Word recognition was improved over hearing aids. Functional gain and speech reception thresholds were similar for the Envoy device and hearing aids. CONCLUSIONS: The feasibility trial has shown the Envoy device, a totally implantable middle ear device, can safely sense and drive the ossicular chain. EBM RATING: B-2.