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Intracochlear schwannomas can occur either as an extension of a larger tumor from the internal auditory canal, or as a solitary labyrinthine tumor. They are currently removed via a translabyrinthine approach extended to the basal turn, adding a transotic approach for tumors lying beyond the basal turn. Facial bridge cochleostomy may be associated with the translabyrinthine approach to enable the whole cochlea to be approached without sacrificing the external auditory canal and tympanum. We describe seven cases, five of which underwent cochlear schwannoma resection with facial bridge cochleostomy, one case with the same procedure for a suspect tumor and one, previously subjected to radical tympanomastoidectomy, who underwent schwannoma resection via a transotic approach. Facial bridge cochleostomy involved removing the bone between the labyrinthine and tympanic portions of the fallopian canal, and exposing the cochlea from the basal to the apical turn. Patients' recovery was uneventful, and long-term magnetic resonance imaging showed no residual tumor. Facial bridge cochleostomy can be a flexible extension of the translabyrinthine approach for tumors extending from the internal auditory canal to the cochlea. The transcanal approach is suitable for the primary exclusive intralabyrinthine tumor. The indications for the different approaches are discussed.

Introduction. Otitic complications arise from expansion of the middle ear infection. Subdural empyema is a rare otitic complication, and both retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscesses have been described in just a few cases. Case report. A 30-year-old male was, admitted as an emergency case because of breathing difficulties, secretion from the ear, and fever. Clinical examination had shown a purulent, fetid secretion from the ear, swelling on the roof of epipharynx, left tonsil pushed medialy, immobile epiglottis, reduced breathing space. Computed tomography revealed thick hypodense content filling cavity, mastoid entering the posterior cranial fossa, descending down throw the parapharyngeal space to the mesopharynx. On the roof and posterior wall of the epipharynx hypodense collection was also present. Tracheotomy was conducted, and incision of the parapharyngeal and retropharyngeal abscess and radical tympanomastoidectomy were performed. The patient’s state deteriorated on the tenth postoperative day with hemiparesis and consciousness disorder. Magnetic resonance imaging was done. It showed subdural empyema of the left frontoparietal region and next to the falx, so craniotomy and abscess drainage were conducted. Conclusion. Parapharyngeal, retropharyngeal abscess and subdural empyema are rare otitic complications. Adequate antibiotic therapy and radical surgical treatment make possible an outcome with survival.

Papilloma of the middle ear is extremely rare; to our knowledge there have been only 9 reports (13 cases) in the literature. Aggressive surgical excision is the only curative treatment and radiation therapy is necessary if there is evidence of focal squamous cell carcinoma. We describe a case of a 65-year-old male with inverted papilloma of the middle ear. The tumor was surgically resected by radical tympanomastoidectomy, and we provided postoperative radiation therapy. There has been no evidence of recurrence to date. We discuss the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of this case and present a review of the literature.

A recurrence of a primary carcinoid tumor of the middle ear 15 years after radical tympanomastoidectomy is reported. An extended subtotal petrosectomy using a craniocervical approach with temporary infracondylar mandibulotomy was performed, since imaging studies demonstrated an extensive tumor with a close relationship to the tegmen tympani, facial nerve, and ascending and horizontal portions of the carotid canal. The tumor was metabolically inactive. Histopathological examination showed a solid, trabecular tumor that was positive for pancytokeratin Lu5, neuron-specific enolase, pancreatic intestinal polypeptide and glucagon. Neuroendocrine-granules were demonstrable under electron microscopy. This case is reported to show that primary middle-ear carcinoid tumors can recur years after radical tympanomastoidectomy.

Background/Aim. This paper presents our operative method for hearing recovery after the previous radical tympanomastoidectomy, radical trepanation of the temporal bone (trepanatio radicalis ossis temporalis - TROT) in eight patients submitted to operations for giant cholesteatotoma. Methods. All the patients were admitted to our clinic after TROT. There were no signs of cholesteatoma or infection. The patients refused any stent implantations or any hearing aids due to possible aesthetic problems. The described procedure developed in two steps. The first one was to restore the destroyed cavum tympany and to covert with chondroperichondral new membrane with a pin-like “guide” as collumela. The second step was to insert a TORP (total ossicular replacement prosthesis) after guide excision. Results. After the first operation (stage one) there were no infections in the operated area nor chondroperichondral graft rejection. Postoperative audiometry (6 to 8 weeks) was done to demonstrate the improvement of air conduction. Three months following the first, the second (stage two) operation was performed and 2.5 to 3 months after this operation even greater audiometry revealed hearing improvement in air- and bone-conduction. The patients were dismissed from the hospital 2 days after each procedure without any complications. They did not experience any dizziness, vomiting nor a severe pain. Three months after the second operative stage, otoscopic findings were very good. The audiometry findings after a 3-months period (after stage one) and 3 months after final TORP insertion was done for each of the patients. After one year, the audiometric curve was the same. Clinical and audiometry follow up demonstrated a hearing recovery and closure of air bone gap (ABG) to values of 5 to 15 dB. Conclusion. The use of TORP after radical tympanomastoidectomy is feasible. The first step of the procedure is the fixation of a neomembrane. A stabilized neomembrane is essential for light overpressure on the prosthesis and this is important for optimal or better conductivity. A better hearing recovery is confirmed with audiometric findings and ABG reduction to 5-15 dB. This method could be performed in all patients (with good boneconduction) after radical tympanomastoidectomy for better hearing.

Labyrinthine fistula is a common complication of cholesteatoma, but cochlear fistula is very rare. We report three cases of cochlear fistula found in ears which had previously been treated with radical tympanomastoidectomy, one male and two females, who had developed dizziness 10 to 28 years after the last middle ear surgery. Two patients had no hearing in the affected ear and 80 dB mixed type hearing loss was noted in one patient. At surgery, cochlear fistulas of various sizes were found in the promontory between the oval and round windows. One patient also had a fistula opening into the lateral semicircular canal. In two patients the cochlear fistula was covered with fascia and bone fragments and then firmly sealed with fibrin glue. One patient had obvious infection in the cochlea, so labyrinthectomy was performed. Surgery relieved the fistula symptoms caused by manipulation of the ear. The patient with residual hearing became deaf after surgery.Cochlear fistula is hard to detect by regular otoscopy. When a patient complains of dizziness upon manipulation of the middle ear, the site where the dizzy sensation is most severe should be recorded as a possible fistula site. CT scan of the bony cochlear wall should be examined carefully to confirm the diagnosis. In addition to fistulas of the semicircular canals, cochlear fistula must be included in the differential diagnosis of dizziness in patients who have had radical tympanomastoidectomy type middle ear surgery.

Objective To discuss the clinical aspects and management of nontuberculous mycobacteriosis of the temporal bone. Study design Case report and review of the literature. Setting University hospital, tertiary referral center. Patient, intervention, and results The authors describe an uncommon case of nontuberculous mycobacteriosis of the temporal bone in an immunosuppressed 62-year-old woman with facial nerve paralysis caused by disease complication. The case was cured with radical tympanomastoidectomy and prolonged multiple antibiotic therapy. Conclusions Nontuberculous mycobacteriosis should be suspected in immunosuppressed patients with intractable middle ear granulations. Cultural and histologic examinations are the mainstay for diagnosis. Long-standing multiantibiotic therapy together with aggressive surgery should be considered as appropriate management.

Primary cartinoid tumors in the middle ear and mastoid are rare. They are also very difficult to distinguish from adenomas and adenocarcinomas, using conventional histological stains. We present clinical, histological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural findings of a cartinoid tumor in the middle ear and mastoid in a 40-year-old male. A soft tumor was revealed in the posterior mesotympanum and mastoid cavity, and a radical tympanomastoidectomy was performed. The tumor cells were stained by chromogranin A, and neurosecretory granules were confirmed with electron microscopy. We also review 20 previously reported cases in regard to their presentation, symptoms, signs, tumor extension, treatments, and histopathology.

Our clinical study includes 56 cases of cholesteatoma in children aged 3-14 years, treated in a 6-year period. Cholesteatoma was localized in attic (6 cases), in middle ear (6 cases), in attic plus middle ear (16 cases) and in attic + middle ear + mastoid (28 cases or 50% of the total number). In the surgical treatment combined approach tympanoplasty (intact canal wall technique) was used in 76.8%, radical tympanomastoidectomy in 16.1%, and other techniques in 7.1%. Intact ossicular chain was found in 25%. Reconstruction of the ossicular chain (including autograft, homograft and allograft material) was done in 59%, and the remaining 16% were treated by classic radical surgery. Hearing results: unchanged, 48%; improved, 45%; slightly worsened, 7%; and no dead ear. Recurrency in 31% is considerably higher as compared to 15% in adults found in another comparable study by us.