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To analyze the effects of the depth of anesthesia on inner ear function measured with distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) at 2f 1 - f 2. Thirty patients who underwent tonsillectomy under general anesthesia (GA) were included. Patients were assigned randomly to one of two groups: group 1 (n = 15) received propofol, group 2 (n = 15) sevoflurane as anesthetic agent. The sedation level was assessed by the bispectral index system. DPOAE measurements were performed before premedication (T 1), 5 min after premedication (T 2), 3 min after induction of general anesthesia (T 3) and every 10 min (T 4, T 5) thereafter until the end of surgery at about 23 min post-anesthetic induction, while sedation levels were obtained starting at the beginning until the end of anesthesia. After premedication, both blood oxygen saturation and heart rate decreased. Following induction of anesthesia systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased, while, as expected, the level of sedation increased. Analyzing the propofol and sevoflurane group separately, both groups showed comparable overall courses of DPOAE levels at higher frequencies (2.8 kHz p = 0.310, 4 kHz p = 0.193, 6 kHz p = 0.269, 8 kHz p = 0.223) and no changes of DPOAE levels compared with baseline values were observed. At T5 the 1 kHz DPOAE level increased in the propofol group and slightly decreased in the sevoflurane group (p < 0.001). While the 1.4 kHz DPOAE level in the propofol group did not change over time the 1.4 kHz DPOAE level decreased in the sevoflurane group (baseline to T 4 p = 0.045; Baseline to T 5 p = 0.004). While overall there were different courses between these two groups in the 2 kHz DPOAE level, in the post hoc analysis only a tendency in the change from baseline to T 4 could be observed (p = 0.082). These results indicate that while the amplitudes of certain DPOAEs were influenced by GA, the depth of anesthesia had no effect on this measure of cochlear function in clinical routine. Therefore, DPOAE measurements in sedation and during GA are useful but the effect of anesthetic agents on DPOAE levels needs to be taken into account when analyzing the test.

Introduction: Recently, several studies and case reports have dealt with the topic of cerebral sinus venous thrombosis (CSVT) and focused on sudden hearing loss as an early and rare symptom, to diminish the delay in diagnosing this serious disease., Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis over 3 years and investigated MRIs of all inpatients who were treated for sudden sensorineural hearing loss. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether sudden hearing loss could be an early indicator, or the first sign, of CSVT., Results: In total, 554 patients were included. Only 2 patients with CSVT could be identified. In both, sudden unilateral sensorineural hearing loss was not the only symptom. They also reported headache, and 1 patient also reported tinnitus and vertigo., Conclusion: In our opinion, sudden unilateral sensorineural hearing loss alone is not a reliable indicator of CSVT. In combination with headache or visual impairment, this rare vascular disease should be taken into account.

Objectives/hypothesis: Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) is an important cause of severe visual impairment following blunt or penetrating head trauma. Treatment options include steroids, decompression, or both. Studies have failed to show a clear benefit for either steroids or surgery or a combined therapy. This study describes the visual outcome in surgically managed patients with or without steroid treatment., Study Design: Retrospective analysis., Methods: In a retrospective chart review we included patients (n = 42) with TON who were managed with optic nerve decompression surgery with or without steroids. Comparison of initial and final visual acuity was the primary outcome parameter., Results: In 42 consecutive patients, steroids were used in 21 cases (50%). Ten patients received a high-dose systemic regimen of more than 500 mg methylprednisolone initial dose, and 11 patients were treated with a lower dose. The overall visual improvement rate was 33%, no change was noted in 50%, and no outcome data were available in 17%. The visual improvement rate of patients treated with decompression surgery and steroids was lower (29%, 6 of 21) than those treated with surgery alone (53%, 8 of 15). Comparing both groups, additional steroids had no beneficial effect on the visual outcome (P = .97). There was no case with a deterioration of visual function due to therapy., Conclusions: In patients with traumatic optic neuropathy who were treated with optic nerve decompression surgery, steroids had no beneficial effect on the visual outcome., Level of Evidence: 2c., (Copyright © 2013 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.)

Objective: Septic thrombosis of the sigmoid and lateral sinus is a rare complication of acute otitis media, mastoiditis and cholesteatoma. Hence, the aim of this chat review was to analyze the demographics, presenting symptoms, diagnosis, and therapeutic management of otogenic sigmoid sinus thrombosis. Especially the role of low molecular weight heparin in the therapy of septic intracranial sinus thrombosis in children should be illuminated., Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed., Results: Six patients were included in this trial. One patient was treated completely conservatively. All other patients underwent surgical treatment consisting of mastoidectomy (n=5), additional thrombectomy (n=3) and ligation of the internal jugular vein (n=2). All patients received intravenous antibiotics and anticoagulants. Unfractionated heparin was administered for three days after surgery followed by an anticoagulant therapy with low-molecular weight heparin for three months. The activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and the anti-factor-Xa-plasma-levels were monitored during anticoagulation in short term intervals. There were no complications related to the anticoagulant therapy. Recanalization was found in all patients who were treated without thrombectomy or ligation of the internal jugular vein and in the case of complete conservative treatment., Conclusion: Simple mastoidectomy combined with broad spectrum antibiotics is the therapy of choice. Our results indicate that anticoagulants represent a safe treatment option if they are administered correctly., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Skull base metastases are rare conditions. Usually breast or prostate cancers are responsible primary tumors. Definite diagnosis can only be obtained through biopsies. We report the first case of breast cancer metastases into left occipital condyle, which was biopsied successfully through radical extended mastoidectomy under computer-assisted intraoperative navigation. This access proved to be feasible and safe, and enough material could be obtained for histological examination. According to the result, optimal adjuvant treatment strategies could be planned.

Objectives: To increase awareness of neuroendocrine adenomas of the middle ear (NAME), rare lesions often mistaken for other entities or chronic otitis media. Histogenesis remains controversial, although the consensus tends toward a pluripotent stem cell of the middle ear mucosa as the origin of the lesion. The tumour is characterised by dual differentiation with exocrine and endocrine components. The most common symptoms are conductive hearing loss, tinnitus and vertigo. The treatment of choice is complete surgical removal of the tumour with no adjuvant radiotherapy being required., Case Report: We report the case of a 23-year-old man presenting with chronic otitis media, conductive hearing loss, vertigo and tinnitus who, some years previously, had suffered from an episode of facial nerve palsy. Conservative therapy failed and so surgery was performed. Tumour-like masses were encountered and histological and immunohistochemical examination revealed a neuroendocrine adenoma of the middle ear., Conclusion: This rare entity should be considered as differential diagnosis when treating chronic inflammatory disease not responding to conservative therapy or dealing with unclear expansive processes of the middle ear. MRI scans should be performed since CT scans are inconclusive.