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Objective: Management of tympanic membrane perforations is varied. This study aimed to better understand current practice patterns in myringoplasty and type 1 tympanoplasty. Methods: An electronic questionnaire was distributed to American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery members. Practice patterns were compared in terms of fellowship training, practice length, practice setting, paediatric case frequency and total cases per year. Results: Of the 321 respondents, most were comprehensive otolaryngologists (60.4 per cent), in private practice (60.8 per cent), with a primarily adult practice (59.8 per cent). Fellowship training was the factor most associated with significant variations in management, including pre-operative antibiotic usage (p = 0.019), contraindications (p < 0.001), approach to traumatic perforations (p < 0.001), use of local anaesthesia (p < 0.001), graft material (p < 0.001), tympanoplasty technique (p = 0.003), endoscopic assistance (p < 0.001) and timing of post-operative audiology evaluation (p = 0.003). Conclusion: Subspecialty training appears to be the main variable associated with significant differences in peri-operative decision-making for surgical repair of tympanic membrane perforations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Histopathological anomalies of inner-ear structures in individuals with Down syndrome have been well documented; however, few studies have examined the radiological features.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted of temporal bone computed tomography images in 38 individuals (75 ears) with Down syndrome to evaluate the prevalence of inner-ear abnormalities and assess vestibular aqueduct widths.Results:Inner-ear anomalies were identified in 20 of the 38 individuals (52.6 per cent). Seven of the 75 temporal bones (9.3 per cent) were found to have higher than previously reported. A dilated internal auditory canal and vestibule were more common among the present study group, while prior studies have demonstrated internal auditory canal stenosis and decreased vestibule size.Conclusion:Down syndrome patients exhibit a high prevalence of dysplastic inner-ear features that confer substantial risk of sensorineural hearing loss. Computed tomography is a useful screening aid to detect inner-ear abnormalities, particularly enlarged vestibular aqueducts, which cause preventable sensorineural hearing loss in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fishbone foreign body (FFB) can lodge in the upper respiratory or gastrointestinal tracts and frequently cause discomfort. While FFBs are common, variations in the hyoid may present radiographically similarly. The authors present a case in which a 32-year-old woman presented with pain in the right neck with a globus sensation after eating fish. Examination, including flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy, did not reveal a foreign body. Given the patients' persistent symptoms, a noncontrast computed tomography was performed, demonstrating a radiopaque body superior to the right lateral hyoid bone, consistent with FFB. Direct examination under anesthesia was performed, and no FFB was noted. A reassessment of the imaging suggested a likely aberrant hyoid bone. The authors report this case to remind clinicians that while rare, aberrant hyoid variants may mimic FFB. The authors also review the imaging findings of aberrant hyoid variants in this report, as recognition of hyoid variability can mitigate unnecessary intervention., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 by Mutaz B. Habal, MD.)

Objective: To assess patient-related risk factors associated with poor outcomes following stapedotomy for otosclerosis., Study Design: Retrospective study., Setting: Academic tertiary care center., Methods: Retrospective chart review of 107 patients with otosclerosis who underwent stapedotomy between 2013 and 2020. Demographics, comorbidities, and smoking history were obtained. Preoperative and postoperative audiogram data, including air-bone gap (ABG), and complications were collected. Data were analyzed using t test and Fischer's exact test for continuous and categorical variables, respectively., Results: Among 107 patients, 29.5% were smokers and 70.1% non-smokers. Overall, the average ABG-gain 3-months postoperatively was 20.2 dB, and intraoperative and postoperative complications were 3.74 and 13.1%, respectively. Those with a history of otologic procedures had a lower mean ABG gain at 3 months compared with those without previous otologic surgery (14.4 dB versus 20.4 dB, p = 0.018). The average ABG gain at 3-months was not significantly different between those with current, former, or no smoking history, respectively (13.5 versus 18.1 versus 20.6, p = 0.08). Current smokers had 4.5 times greater odds of complications compared with non-smokers, although not statistically significant (95% CI 0.9-22.8, p = 0.1912)., Conclusion: Age and history of otologic procedures as independent risk factors did impact hearing outcomes among our patient cohort; however, smoking history did not. Future prospective studies are required to further investigate complication rates by various modifiable risk factors, such as smoking status, body mass index (BMI), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) use, for stapedotomy surgeries., Competing Interests: The authors disclose no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022, Otology & Neurotology, Inc.)

Pediatric headache is a common medical complaint managed across multiple subspecialties with a myriad of unique factors (clinical presentation and disease phenotype) that make accurate diagnosis particularly elusive. A thorough understanding of the stepwise approach to headache disorders in children is essential to ensure appropriate evaluation, timely diagnosis, and efficacious treatment. This work aims to review key components of a comprehensive headache assessment as well as discuss primary and secondary headache disorders observed in children, with a particular focus on clinical pearls and "red flag" symptoms necessitating ancillary diagnostic testing., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Temporal bone computed tomography (CT) requires a relatively high radiation dose to produce high-resolution images required to define surgical anatomy. In the acute setting, the need for this detailed evaluation of temporal bone pathology may not be required for nonsurgical management and clinical decision-making. We performed a retrospective review of the clinical characteristics and subsequent management of children who underwent CT of the temporal bone with the goal of optimizing clinical decision-making and mitigating the risks of radiation exposure in children., Methods: We included pediatric patients (<18 years of age) with International Classification of Diseases (9th or 10th revision) diagnoses consistent with otitis externa, otitis media, mastoiditis, head trauma, temporal bone fracture, and otalgia who were treated in the emergency department and underwent temporal bone CT from January 1, 2012-December 31, 2016. We collected data regarding the patients' presenting symptoms, physical exam findings, indications for imaging, radiographic findings, disposition, and operative intervention within 30 days of imaging. Features of the suspected mastoiditis group were compared between operative and non-operative patients., Results: Over the four-year study period there were 96 temporal bone CTs. Most studies (70%) were associated with a subsequent inpatient admission. Common indications for imaging included evaluation of acute mastoiditis (55%) or trauma (41%). Of the 53 patients with concern for mastoiditis, 27 (51%) required otologic surgery. Two patients in the trauma group required surgical intervention, both for facial nerve decompression. In patients with suspected mastoiditis, mental status changes (P = 0.02), auricular proptosis (P = 0.05), and fluctuance (P = 0.02) were significantly more prevalent in the operative group; however, no other findings were significantly associated with operative intervention., Conclusion: Temporal bone CT is beneficial in guiding diagnosis and management of acute mastoiditis. We found that a majority of patients with suspected mastoiditis who underwent temporal bone CT ultimately required surgery or hospital admission. However, the potential for reduction in the use of CT still exists in this population. Fractures of the temporal bone typically do not require urgent operative intervention in the absence of complete facial nerve paralysis; thus, the utility of temporal bone CT in trauma evaluation may be limited.

Objective: To evaluate the current trends and usage patterns of radiographic imaging for otologic disease by specialty, length of practice, practice setting, geographic region, and pediatric volume., Study Design: Cross-sectional study., Setting: Survey of physicians., Subjects: General Otolaryngologists and Otologists/Neurotologists (O/N) of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS)., Methods and Outcome Measures: An electronic questionnaire was distributed to AAO-HNS members. Respondents were separated into groups by specialty, length of practice, practice setting, region, and pediatric exposure. Chi-square tests were performed for the determination of significance., Results: The survey was sent to 5,168 members of AAO-HNS. The response rate was 10.6% (n = 546) and 18.1% for only O/N (n = 143). Most respondents were generalists (74%), in practice >20 years (51%), with a primarily adult practice (95%). O/N were more often academics (44 versus 17% combined, 40% private; p < 0.001) and saw fewer children (80 fewer than 25%; p < 0.001). Compared with generalists, O/N were more likely to respond with more frequent and earlier magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) utilization in the workup of the majority of otologic diseases. Significant differences in usage patterns for various conditions were demonstrated across all categories, but specialty training was the most common. Generalists (34 versus 12% of O/N; p < 0.001), physicians practicing >20 years (32 versus 18% of < 5 yrs; p = 0.006), and private practice physicians (34 versus 14-20% of others; p < 0.001) relied more heavily on the radiology report to interpret MRI scans., Conclusion: Subspecialty training seems to be the main variable correlating with significant differences in the use of MRI and computed tomography imaging in patients with otologic disease., Competing Interests: The authors disclose no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2020, Otology & Neurotology, Inc.)

Bone conduction implants based on percutaneous abutment acoustic transmission have been implemented in patients with satisfactory outcomes. However, adverse soft tissue outcomes present a limitation. Transcutaneous bone conduction devices (t-BCDs) are an alternative that may mitigate these complications. A retrospective review was performed of patients who underwent implantation of a t-BCD from 2013 to 2017. Surgical outcomes were reviewed including wound complications, frequency of device use, patient concerns regarding the device, and reported patient satisfaction. A total of 37 patients were implanted with the bone-anchored hearing aids, BAHA Attract (Cochlear™ Baha® Implant System). Average follow-up time was 271.8 days. Postoperatively, 7 (18.9%) patients complained of soft tissue changes or issues with wound healing. Twelve (32.4%) patients requested adjustment of their devices. The t-BCD is an excellent option for hearing rehabilitation. Overall, the complication rate is low, patient satisfaction is high, and successful conversion from a percutaneous device is possible with minimal risk.

Objective: To systematically review the available medical literature to investigate the viral load in the middle ear and mastoid cavity and the potential risk of exposure to airborne viruses during otologic surgery., Data Sources: PubMed, MEDLINE, and Cochrane databases., Study Selection: This review was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Protocol., Data Extraction: Using the Boolean method and relevant search term combinations for terms "mastoid," "middle ear," "virus," "exposure" "COVID-19" "SARS-CoV-2." PubMed, MEDLINE, and Cochrane databases were queried. A total of 57 abstracts were identified and screened by two independent reviewers. Following inclusion and exclusion criteria, 18 studies were selected for the final analysis., Data Synthesis: Due to the heterogeneity of clinical data, a meta-analysis was not feasible., Results: Rhinovirus, followed by respiratory syncytial virus are reported to be the most prevalent viruses in MEF samples but formal statistical analysis is precluded by the heterogeneity of the studies. Drilling was identified to have the highest risk for aerosol generation and therefore viral exposure during otologic Surgery., Conclusions: The medical literature has consistently demonstrated the presence of nucleic acids of respiratory viruses involving the middle ear, including SARS-CoV2 in a recent postmortem study. Although no in vivo studies have been conducted, due to the likely risk of transmission, middle ear and mastoid procedures, particularly involving the use of a drill should be deferred, if possible, during the pandemic and enhanced personal protective equipment (PPE) used if surgery is necessary., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest or sources of funding to declare., (Copyright © 2020, Otology & Neurotology, Inc.)

Hypothesis: Treatment modalities administered by Otolaryngologists vary based on patient volume and years of experience., Objective: It was our goal to evaluate the current trends in treatment modalities administered by Otolaryngologists based on patient volume and years of experience., Methods: An electronic questionnaire was distributed to all General Otolaryngologists and fellowship-trained Neurotologist members of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS). Respondents were separated into groups by patients per year (<10, 10-29, 30-49, 50-99, or >100 patients) and years in practice (0-5, 6-10, 11-15, 16-20, or >20 yrs)., Results: Eight hundred and sixty members replied for a response rate of 14.5% for generalists and 35% for neurotologists. Patient volume was found to have a positive association with perceived benefit of lifestyle and diet modification, and use of intratympanic steroids, intratympanic gentamycin, oral steroids, benzodiazepines, acetazolamide, endolymphatic sac procedures, vestibular nerve section, and surgical labyrinthectomy. Only endolymphatic sac procedures were found to have a significant positive association with a physician's length in practice. The only negative association was between intratympanic steroids and a physician's length in practice., Conclusion: Physicians who see more MD patients annually are more likely to use these treatment modalities: diet and lifestyle modification, intratympanic steroids, intratympanic gentamycin, surgical labyrinthectomy, vestibular nerve section, acetazolamide, alprazolam, lorazepam, dexamethasone, and prednisone. Physicians with a longer length of time in practice are more likely to use only endolymphatic sac procedures, and they are less likely to use intratympanic steroids.

Objective: To review the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on pediatric otolaryngology and provide recommendations for the management of children during the COVID-19 pandemic., Data Sources: Clinical data were derived from peer-reviewed primary literature and published guidelines from national or international medical organizations. Preprint manuscripts and popular media articles provided background information and illustrative examples., Methods: Included manuscripts were identified via searches using PubMed, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar, while organizational guidelines and popular media articles were identified using Google search queries. Practice guidelines were developed via consensus among all authors based on peer-reviewed manuscripts and national or international health care association guidelines. Strict objective criteria for inclusion were not used due to the rapidly changing environment surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and a paucity of rigorous empirical evidence., Conclusions: In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, medical care must be judiciously allocated to treat the most severe conditions while minimizing the risk of long-term sequelae and ensuring patient, physician, and health care worker safety., Implications for Practice: The COVID-19 pandemic will have a profound short- and long-term impact on health care worldwide. Although the full repercussions of this disease have yet to be realized, the outlined recommendations will guide otolaryngologists in the treatment of pediatric patients in the face of an unprecedented global health crisis.

There are insufficient data regarding the safety of otologic procedures in the setting of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Given the proclivity for respiratory pathogens to involve the middle ear and the significant aerosolization associated with many otologic procedures, safety precautions should follow current recommendations for procedures involving the upper airway. Until preoperative diagnostic testing becomes standardized and readily available, elective cases should be deferred and emergent/urgent cases should be treated as high risk for COVID-19 exposure. Necessary otologic procedures on positive, suspected, or unknown COVID-19 status patients should be performed using enhanced personal protective equipment, including an N95 respirator and eye protection or powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR, preferred), disposable cap, disposable gown, and gloves. Powered instrumentation should be avoided unless absolutely necessary, and if performed, PAPR or sealed eye protection is recommended.

Objective: Due to the microscopic nature of otologic surgery, photographic image quality suffers from an inherent inability to maintain all the planes of surgery in focus under binocular microscopy. Our goal was to perform simple editing techniques to create improved imaging for educational and research purposes in the field of Otology and Neurotology., Patients/design: The study was a proof of concept performed with series of cases including patients undergoing transmastoid and transcanal otologic surgery over time period of December 1, 2018 to March 1, 2019 at an academic medical center. The Zeiss OPMI Pentero 800 operating microscope was used with a camera capturing 2.1 megapixel, 1098 × 1080 resolution images., Intervention: We created a systematic protocol for capturing images of multiple focal lengths during each surgery. With the image-editing technique of focus-stacking, multiple images of varying focal length, were spliced together to produce high-quality and high-fidelity composite images rendered using the Adobe Photoshop (San Jose, CA)., Outcomes: Subjective comparisons of pre and post photo-edited photographs., Results: Composite, focus-stacked images with comparison to unedited microscopic pictures are reviewed in the manuscript., Conclusion: We describe a simple and objectively practical method for improving the quality of medical imaging in the field of Otology/Neurotology. To achieve this enhanced image quality, a relatively expeditious and reliable photographic protocol can be used for image capturing and editing, requiring little to no additional training for a physician in the field.

Objective: Characterize current perspectives in the surgical management of vestibular schwannoma (VS) to guide otolaryngologists in understanding United States practice patterns., Methods: A retrospective analysis of ACS-NSQIP database was performed to abstract all patients from 2008 to 2016 who underwent VS resection using ICD-9/10 codes 225.1 and D33.3, respectively. The specific surgical approach employed was identified via CPT codes 61520, 61526/61596, and 61591, which represent retrosigmoid (RS), translabyrinthine (TL) and middle cranial fossa (MCF) approaches, respectively. Analyzed outcomes include general surgical complications, total length of stay, and reoperation., Results: A total of 1671 VS cases were identified, 1266 (75.7%) were RS, 292 (17.5%) were TL, and 114 (6.8%) were MCF. The annual number of cases increased over the study period from 15 to 375, which is chiefly attributed to increased institutional participation in ACS-NSQIP. Perioperative variables including BMI ( P < .001), ASA class ( P = .004), ethnicity ( P = .008), operative time ( P < .001), and reoperation ( P < .001) were found to be statistically significant between cohorts. Increased utilization of RS approach was consistent over the entire study period, with significantly more RS performed than either TL or MCF. Finally, a statistically significant difference with respect to general surgical complication rates was not noted between surgical approaches., Conclusions: There is increased employment of RS approach for the operative management of VS, which likely is the result of increased reliance on both stereotactic radiosurgery and observation as alternative treatment strategies.

Crystalline retinopathies may be associated with different etiologies including genetic, toxic, degenerative, idiopathic, and iatrogenic causes. We outline the various types of crystalline retinopathies and summarize their associated etiologies, pathogenesis, clinical presentations, multimodal imaging findings, and management strategies., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Myopic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is a common cause of central visual loss in patients with high myopia, and the most common form of CNV in younger individuals. Pharmacologic therapy is the current mainstay of treatment of these patients., Methods: Review of pharmacological treatment options for myopic CNV, which primarily involves intravitreal administration of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents., Results: At this time, anti-VEGF therapy agents are the first-line therapy in these patients. Comparative trials have not identified any major differences in treatment outcomes between aflibercept, bevacizumab, and ranibizumab. Only ranibizumab is approved for this indication in the US. Best visual outcomes are associated with younger age, smaller lesion size, and absence of chorioretinal atrophy., Conclusion: Anti-VEGF therapy is generally very effective in the treatment of myopic CNV., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Objective: To determine perioperative morbidity of children ≤12 months undergoing cochlear implantation (CI)., Study Design: Retrospective analysis using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Pediatric Database (ACS-NSQIP-P)., Setting: General acute care children's hospitals, children's hospitals within larger hospitals, specialty children's hospitals, and general acute care hospitals with a pediatric wing., Patients: Children who underwent CI were queried using the ACS-NSQIP-P from 2012 to 2015., Intervention: Cochlear implantation., Main Outcome Measures: Risk factors analyzed include age, prematurity, and presence of congenital disorders. Outcomes analyzed include operative time, length of stay, general surgical complications, readmissions, and related reoperations., Results: Over the database accrual period, the percentage of children ≤12 months at the time of surgery increased from 2012 to 2015 (6.08-7.78%, p = 0.0752). Total operative time, length of stay (≥1 d), and readmissions for those ≤12 months were significantly greater compared with those >12 months at the time of surgery (p < 0.001, p = 0.0037, and p < 0.0001, respectively). There were no statistically significant differences in general surgical complications (i.e., superficial incisional surgical site infections, organ/space surgical site infections, and/or unplanned reoperations) in cases ≤12 months. Complications specific to CI such as facial nerve paralysis, cerebrospinal fluid leak, and mastoiditis were not recorded in the ACS-NSQIP-P., Conclusion: Infants had no more general surgical complications in the immediate postoperative period compared with older children, although total operative time, length of stay, and readmissions were found to be significantly greater in frequency.

Objective: To evaluate current trends in managing Ménière's disease (MD) by both general otolaryngologists and otologists/neurotologists and discuss treatment modalities., Study Design: Cross-sectional study., Setting: Survey of physicians., Subjects and Methods: An electronic questionnaire was disseminated to all members of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS)., Results: Eight hundred and sixty members replied for a response rate of 14.5% for generalists and 35% for neurotologists. Thirty-nine percent of respondents think that diet and lifestyle changes are effective in controlling symptoms in more than 50% of their MD patients. Overall, 72.8% of respondents used hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene (HCTZ/TAT) "often" or "always" with neurotologists using HCTZ/TAT more often than generalists (p < 0.001). Half of neurotologists used IT steroids "often" or "always," compared with only 10% of generalists (p < 0.001). Endolymphatic sac procedures are the most common surgeries and are used more often by neurotologists than by generalists (p < 0.001). The Medtronic Meniett device is used more by neurotologists (p < 0.001) but it is not commonly used overall (69.2% "never" use)., Conclusion: Many options are available for the treatment of MD. Neurotologists tend to use a wider variety of medications in their treatment protocols than generalists. Neurotologists tend to perform surgical interventions more frequently than generalists. Our evidence shows significant heterogeneity for treatment of Ménière's disease among otolaryngologists. A guideline that outlines appropriate therapeutic options, dosing, and treatment escalation is warranted.

Objectives: To provide an overview of vestibular migraines presentation, pathology, and diagnosis, as well as an update on current diagnostic criteria., Methods: A review of the most recent literature on vestibular migraines was performed., Results: Vestibular migraine is a process with significant impact on the quality of life for those afflicted with the disease, with attacks of spontaneous or positional vertigo and migraine symptoms lasting several minutes to 72h. Inner ear disease can co-exist with migraine and the vestibular symptoms occurring with vestibular migraine can mimic inner ear disorders providing a challenge for clinicians in establishing diagnosis. Recent diagnostic criteria for vestibular migraine proposed by a joint committee of the Bárány Society and the International Headache Society provide an important standard for clinical diagnosis and research endeavor., Conclusion: Vestibular migraine is a challenging disease process to both diagnose and treat. Proper diagnosis and treatment requires a thorough understanding of the current literature., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Hypothesis: A review of the most recent literature will provide clinicians with an update of secondary endolymphatic hydrops, aiding in diagnosis and treatment of affected patients., Background: Secondary endolymphatic hydrops is a pathologic finding of the inner ear resulting in episodic vertigo and intermittent hearing loss. It is a finding for which extensive research is being performed., Methods: A review of the most recent literature on secondary endolymphatic hydrops was performed using PubMed literature search., Results: Recent investigation of secondary endolymphatic hydrops has brought attention to traumatic and inflammatory insults as causes for secondary endolymphatic hydrops. Such etiologies, including postsurgical effects of cochlear implantation and endolymphatic sac ablation; otosclerosis and its operative intervention(s); acoustic and mechanical trauma; medications; and systemic inflammatory processes, have been determined as causes of secondary lymphatic hydrops. Histopathological slides for many of the etiologies of secondary endolymphatic hydrops are presented., Conclusion: Through an understanding of the pathophysiology and etiologies of secondary endolymphatic hydrops, clinicians will gain a better understanding of this complex disease process, which will aid in treatment of patients with this disease process.

Objective: Current bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) guidelines recommend placement of the titanium implant 5 to 7 cm posterior to the ear canal. Previous studies show that bone conducted hearing is maximized the closer the transducer is to the cochlea. We aim to investigate the position of the sigmoid sinus with respect to BAHA implants to determine whether they may be safely placed closer to the ear canal in patients with chronic ear disease, enhancing the amplification available to the patient., Study Design: We performed a retrospective review of high-resolution temporal bone computed tomographies (CTs), comparing multiple measurements between ears with chronic ear disease and normal controls., Setting: Images were obtained at a single academic medical center., Patients: Eighty patients (160 ears) with temporal bone CTs performed between 2006 and 2009 were measured. Patients with chronic ear disease were identified by international statistical classification of diseases and related health problems, revision 9 code and confirmation by review of the imaging., Main Outcome Measures: Measurements were made on axial CT slices from a point 1 cm posterior to the sigmoid sinus to the posterior margin of the external canal. The squamous temporal bone thickness was also measured at this point., Results: Forty-seven patients (55 ears) had chronic ear disease. Distance from the posterior canal was significantly different between normal and diseased ears (36.3 mm versus 33.5 mm, p < 0.001). Squamous temporal bone thickness varied widely, and was similar between groups (6.9 mm versus 6.8 mm, p = 0.76)., Conclusions: According to our data, titanium implants for bone-anchored hearing aids may be safely placed closer to the external canal than the current recommendations. This could allow for better transduction as well as sound localization in BAHA patients.

Objective: Bone-anchored hearing aid has been shown to be effective in hearing rehabilitation for conductive loss or single-sided deafness. Current FDA guidelines allow implantation in patients over 5 years old. This guideline is at least partially due to concern for thickness of bone stock at the implant site. We aim to investigate whether temporal bone thickness should be a deterrent to implantation in those younger than five., Study Design: A retrospective review of high-resolution temporal bone computed tomographies (CTs) comparing measurements between ears with chronic disease and controls., Setting: Single institution tertiary care center., Patients: One hundred patients between 1 and 5.99 years had temporal bone CTs performed between 2000 and 2009. Patients with chronic ear disease were identified by ICD-9 code, as well as confirmation by review of the imaging., Intervention(s): None., Main Outcome Measures: Temporal bone thickness was measured on axial CT slices at a point 1 cm posterior to the sigmoid sinus, at the superior margin of the bony canal., Results: Average thickness was greater than 3 mm in all age groups. No significant difference was found between age groups, or between normal ears and ears with chronic disease (3.5 mm versus 3.3 mm, p = 0.21) when compared individually., Conclusion: This data shows pediatric temporal bone thickness is frequently greater than the recommended 3 mm, even in patients as young as one. Anatomically, concerns regarding temporal bone thickness in patients younger than five could be reliably addressed with imaging typically obtained in workup of hearing loss.

In the current study, we attempted to determine normative inner ear volumetric measurements generated from three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) images. In addition, we investigated a correlation between the axial length and the volume of the labyrinth and discussed clinical outcomes of this correlation. Amira 5.2.2 software was used to create three-dimensional isosurface images of the human labyrinth using two-dimensional CT images from 35 anatomically normal patients. With the three-dimensional labyrinths, complete dimensional analysis was performed to gain insight into both the volume and the greatest axial length of the inner ear. Paired t test and Pearson correlation were used. Our volume of the inner ear inquiry reported a mean volume of 221.5 with SD of 24.3 μL (0.228 μL for males and 0.218 μL for females). The length showed a mean of 1.713 cm with SD of 0.064 cm (1.753 cm for males and 1.695 cm for females). The length was used to estimate the volume, and the estimates were within 10% of the measured volume 74.3% of the time. Normative volumetric measurements of the inner ear can be obtained by using three-dimensional CT Imaging by Amira 5.2.2 software. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the axial length of the labyrinth and the volume of the labyrinth. The axial length of the labyrinth could be used to estimate the volume of the labyrinth, which may be clinically important to estimate the concentration of the drug distributed in the inner ear.

The internal auditory canal (IAC) is 10 to 17 mm in length, and the facial nerve and vestibulocochlear nerve, which consist of the cochlear nerve, the superior vestibular nerve, and the inferior vestibular nerve, run together in the IAC packaged in dura mater. Oort first described the vestibulocochlear anastomoses in 1918, which is important for the understanding of the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of otologic disorders. The current study documents the existence of vestibulofacial and vestibulocochlear neural connections and topographical relationship of the nerves as part of a radiologic evaluation of 73 human temporal bones from brainstem to the lateral portion of IAC.

Objective: The purpose of our study was to investigate the topographical relationship between these nerves along their course from the brainstem through the internal acoustic canal IAC in the living human brain using MR imaging., Materials and Methods: We performed three-dimensional gradient echo balanced Fast Field Echo (3D bFFE) sequence oblique parasagittal MR imaging in 73 healthy subjects. The IACs were analyzed from the brainstem end of the IAC to the fundus in contiguous sections. At five levels, the topographical relationships between the facial and vestibulocochlear nerves (VCN) were recorded. In the lateral portions of the IACs where they separated from each other, the relative sizes of the individual nerves were examined., Results: In general, the facial nerve (FN), which is a round structure, is located anteriorly and superiorly to the vestibulocochlear nerve throughout its course. The vestibulocochlear nerve is usually rectangular; however, it was found to be round and at times triangular in shape near the brainstem, before it became crescent-shaped at the porus in 89% of the cases. The superior vestibular nerve kept its posterosuperior position in the canal, and the inferior vestibular nerve (IVN) and the cochlear nerve (CN) travelled inferior to it. The superior and inferior vestibular nerves were divided by the falciform crest in 53% of the cases. The inferior vestibular nerve was the smallest nerve in 52% of the cases, and the cochlear nerve was the largest in 36% of the cases., Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this study is the largest in vivo MR study, and most of our findings differ from previous cadaver studies. Determination of these topographical relationships may facilitate our understanding of the complicated physiological relationships between the 7(th) and 8(th) nerve complexes during surgery in this region.

Encephalomalacia is the softening or loss of brain tissue after cerebral infarction, cerebral ischemia, infection, craniocerebral trauma, or other injury. The term is usually used during gross pathologic inspection to describe blurred cortical margins and decreased consistency of brain tissue after infarction. Multicystic encephalomalacia refers to the formation of multiple cystic cavities of various sizes in the cerebral cortex of neonates and infants after injury, most notably perinatal hypoxic-ischemic events. Chronic sinusitis has become one of the most common diseases in otolaryngology practice. Many of these patients can be managed successfully with medical therapy. Those who fail intensive medical therapy may be candidates for functional endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). This procedure has variable complication rates and can have some serious consequences. Serious complications of functional ESS are very rare, but cerebrospinal fluid leak, meningitis, hemorrhage, infection, or vision loss has been reported in a few cases. In this study, we present a 57-year-old man with encephalomalacia after a penetrating brain injury incurred during ESS.

Hydatid cyst is a cyclozoonotic infection caused by the cestode Echinococcus granulosus. Hydatid cyst in the head and neck region is very rare, even in countries where echinococcus infestation is endemic. We report the case of a 17-year-old male patient presenting with a hydatid cyst in the parapharyngeal and neck region. There was no pulmonary or hepatic involvement. The definitive therapy comprised excision of the cystic mass and postoperative medical treatment., (© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2010)

Dissection of the carotid artery can occur intracranially or extracranially, although dissections tend to affect extracranial segments of the arteries much more commonly than intracranial segments. Carotid artery dissection (CAD) is most common in middle-aged women. Although not completely known, the main risk factors related to carotid artery dissection are genetic and environmental factors, traumatic events, cervical manipulation, migraine, recent infections, hyperhomocysteinemia, and hereditary connective tissue disorders. Although some cases of bilateral internal CAD have been reported, spontaneous bilateral dissections are rare. Prolonged hoarseness is usually due to using the voice either too much, too loudly, or improperly over an extended period of time. Disorders leading to dysphagia may affect the oral, pharyngeal, or esophageal phases of swallowing. In this study we report on a patient with bilateral CAD who presented to our clinic with dysphagia and hoarseness.

In otolaryngology practice, we see young children who have inserted a foreign body (FB), which is usually found at home, into their ears or nose. Uncommon complications of an ingested FB are penetration and migration into the neck. Interestingly, among such FBs, sharp fish bones are the most commonly observed in Turkey. In our patient, the FB caused deep neck infection because of FB reaction. In our patient, we could not find any clue of a FB during examination. We were able to see the FB by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Interestingly, the FB looked like a carotid sheath on the MR image.