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This study aimed to identify the association between different cochlear metrics, including the basal turn diameter (A-value), the basal turn width (B-value), and the height of the cochlea (H-value). We also reported an association between H-value and hearing outcomes with cochlear implants (CI). This is a retrospective study that included all patients who underwent CI procedures between 2012 and 2018 at a tertiary center and have; preoperative high-resolution computed tomography (CT), normal cochlea, postoperative follow-up duration of at least 2 years, scores of the category auditory performance II (CAP-II), and speech intelligibility rating (SIR) scales. A total of 65 ears implanted with CI in 46 patients (24 boys and 20 girls; mean age of 7 (±10) years) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. We found significant positive correlations between A vs B, A vs H, and B vs H ( P-value = 0.008, 0.018, and 0.0039, respectively). We also found a significant positive relationship between A, B, and H values and cochlear duct length (CDL) ( P-value < 0.0001, 0.008, and 0.018, respectively). Finally, the H-value was significantly correlated with the SIR ( P-value = 0.027). However, its correlation with the CAP score was not statistically significant ( P-value = 0.62). Cochlear height significantly correlated with CDL and the other cochlear parameters. The variation in cochlear height can also affect speech outcomes in patients undergoing CI. Therefore, the H-value together with the other cochlear metrics should be adequately assessed preoperatively in CI patients.

The mathematical equations to estimate cochlear duct length (CDL) using cochlear parameters such as basal turn diameter (A-value) and width (B-value) are currently applied for cochleae with two and a half turns of normal development. Most of the inner ear malformation (IEM) types have either less than two and a half cochlear turns or have a cystic apex, making the current available CDL equations unsuitable for cochleae with abnormal anatomies. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the basal turn length (BTL) from the cochlear parameters of different anatomical types, including normal anatomy; enlarged vestibular aqueduct; incomplete partition types I, II, and III; and cochlear hypoplasia. The lateral wall was manually tracked for 360° of the angular depth, along with the A and B values in the oblique coronal view for all anatomical types. A strong positive linear correlation was observed between BTL and the A- (r2 = 0.74) and B-values (r2 = 0.84). The multiple linear regression model to predict the BTL from the A-and B-values resulted in the following equation (estimated BTL = [A × 1.04] + [B × 1.89] − 0.92). The manually measured and estimated BTL differed by 1.12%. The proposed equation could be beneficial in adequately selecting an electrode that covers the basal turn in deformed cochleae.

Hemangioma is a frequently observed soft tissue tumor that can be classified into cavernous, capillary, and venous subtypes. It occurs frequently in the head and neck; however, with rare reports of hemangiomas in the external auditory canal (EAC). The present study describes the case of a 57-year-old male patient who presented to our center with a subsequent diagnosis of capillary hemangioma of the EAC. The entire lesion was surgically removed, with no evidence of recurrence on the subsequent follow-up.

To estimate the incidence of brain abnormalities in a cohort of prelingually deaf children and whether these abnormalities can impact the hearing outcomes of patients eligible for cochlear implantation (CI).We performed a retrospective review of consecutive medical charts of prelingually deaf children under 12 years of age who underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) during their preoperative workup for CI surgery. We used the category of auditory performance (CAP) test and the speech intelligibility rating (SIR) test to assess the hearing and speech performance of the children, respectively.The MRIs of 285 patients, 174 boys and 111 girls with a mean age of 36.4 (±16) months, were evaluated for this study. We identified 31 patients with abnormal findings (10.88%): (17/31) (54.8%) had MRI brain abnormalities, (9/31) (29%) had inner ear anomalies, and (5/31) (16.1%) had both inner ear and brain abnormalities. The most frequent inner ear anomaly was an enlarged vestibular aqueduct, while white matter lesions were the most common brain abnormality. The CAP and SIR mean score of patients with inner ear anomalies was slightly, but not significantly, higher than those of patients with brain abnormalities.CAP and SIR scores were not significantly different in children with brain abnormalities than inner ear anomalies. These patients can still benefit from CI to improve their overall hearing and speech performance.

Objectives Hemangioma is a common soft tissue tumor that can be categorized mainly into cavernous, capillary, and venous subtypes. It usually develops in the head and neck and rarely in the external auditory canal (EAC). Methods A systematic review of patients with capillary hemangioma of the EAC was performed. A computerized systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science to extract relevant studies for a qualitative review. Results A total of 38 patients were included in the systematic review, and half of them were men. Hearing loss was the most common presenting feature (n = 19; 50%), followed by aural fullness (n = 15; 39.4%). Cavernous hemangioma was the predominant type (n = 22, 57.8%). Endaural and transcanal surgical approaches were the most frequent, with ten (26.3%) and nine (23.6%) cases, respectively. Most of the patients (n = 31; 81.5%) had no recurrence. Conclusions Hemangioma of the EAC may not be uncommon as healthcare professionals may expect. Hearing loss, aural fullness, and tinnitus are possible symptoms, but many patients remain asymptomatic. Surgical excision is the main effective management option, and complete resolution is the most prevalent outcome. Computed tomography assists in the diagnosis, but histopathological examination after resection is mandatory for the definitive diagnosis.

There have been considerable advancements in cochlear implants in different clinical scenarios; however, their use in patients with otosclerosis remains challenging. This review aimed to investigate the surgical and clinical outcomes of cochlear implantation in patients with otosclerosis. An electronic literature search was performed using four main databases through February 2021 to identify original studies of cochlear implantation in patients with otosclerosis for inclusion in this systematic review. The study protocol was registered with the Prospectively Registered Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (reference number: CRD42021234753). A total of 23 studies including 3162 patients were enrolled. Of these patients, only 392 had otosclerosis and underwent cochlear implantation. The duration of deafness was reported in only eight studies, extending up to 50 years. Far-advanced otosclerosis was observed in 153 patients. A total of 56 patients used hearing aids. Stapedectomy and stapedotomy were performed in 118 and 63 patients, respectively. In three studies, the temporary success of stapedectomy and stapedotomy was 6 (43%) and 5 (71%) patients, respectively. Computed tomography was used as a preoperative assessment tool in most studies (n = 14, 60.9%). Incomplete implant insertion occurred in 17 patients, while facial nerve stimulation occurred in 36 patients after implantation. Cochlear implantation is a relatively safe modality that can provide promising audiological outcomes in patients with otosclerosis. However, several factors, including cochlear ossification, duration of deafness, and previous operations, can affect its outcomes. Further studies with a larger sample population are recommended.