Individualised headband simulation test for predicting outcome after percutaneous bone conductive implantation.

Trans-cutaneous bone conduction (BC) stimulators, when coupled to the HB (BC-HB), are generally used to predict the results that could be achieved after bone conductive implant (BCI) surgery, and their performance is generally considered inferior to that provided by the definitive percutaneous system. The aim of the present study was to compare the performances between BC-HB and BCI of the same typology, when the former's sound processor is fitted in accordance to the individual auditory situation. Twenty-two patients selected for surgical application of a BCI were evaluated and the same audiological protocol was used to select the candidate and assess the final outcome. The BC-HB was properly fitted based on individual hearing loss and personal auditory targets, and tested as primary step of the protocol to obtain the most reliable predictive value. The BAHA Divino and BP100 sound processors were applied in 12 patients with conductive/mixed hearing loss (CMHL) and in 10 subjects with single sided deafness (SSD). Audiometric evaluation included the pure tone average (PTA3) threshold between 250-1000 Hz; the PTA thresholds at 2000 and 4000 Hz; intelligibility scores as percentage of word recognition (WRS) in quiet and in noise; and subjective evaluation of perceived sound quality by a visual analogue scale (VAS). Statistical evaluation with a student's t test was used for assessment of efficacy of BC-HB and BCI compared with the unaided condition. Spearman's Rho coefficient was used to confirm the reliability of the BC-HB simulation test as a predictor of definitive outcome. The results showed that the mean PTA difference between BCI and BC-HB ranged from 2.54 to 8.27 decibels in the CMHL group and from 1.27 to 3.9 decibels in the SSD group. Compared with the BC-HB, BCI showed a better WRS both in CMHL (16% in quiet and 12% in noise) and in SSD (5% in quiet and a 1% in noise) groups. Spearman's Rho coefficient, calculated for PTA, WRS in quiet and in noise and VAS in the two aided conditions, showed a significant correlation between BC-HB and BCI, between PTA and VAS and between WRS in quiet and VAS. It is possible to conclude that the headband test, when the sound processor of the selected bone conductive implant is fitted and personalised for individual hearing loss and auditory targets of the candidate, may provide highly predictive data of the definitive outcome after BCI implant surgery

Acinic cell carcinoma of the parotid gland: Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes? A multicenter retrospective analysis focusing on survival outcome

Objectives: To analyze the demographic data, surgical and adjuvant treatment data and the survival outcomes in adult patients affected by acinic cell carcinoma of the parotid gland (AciCC). Methods: A retrospective multicenter analysis of patients treated for AciCC of the parotid gland from 2000 to 2021 was performed. Exclusion criteria were pediatric (0–18 years) patients, the absence of follow-up and patients with secondary metastatic disease to the parotid gland. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with survival. Results: The study included 81 adult patients with AciCC of the parotid gland. The median age was 46.3 years (SD 15.81, range 19–84 years), with a gender female prevalence (F = 48, M = 33). The mean follow-up was 77.7 months (min 4–max 361, SD 72.46). The 5 years overall survival (OS) was 97.5%. The 5 years disease-free survival (DFS) was 60%. No statistical differences have been found in prognosis for age (< 65 or ≥ 65 years), sex, surgery type (superficial vs profound parotid surgery), radicality (R0 vs R1 + Rclose), neck dissection, early pathologic T and N stages and adjuvant therapy (p > 0.05). Conclusion: This study did not find prognostic factor for poorest outcome. In contrast with the existing literature, our results showed how also high-grade tumours cannot be considered predictive of recurrence or aggressive behaviour

A Retrospective Multicenter Italian Analysis of Epidemiological, Clinical and Histopathological Features in a Sample of Patients with Acinic Cell Carcinoma of the Parotid Gland

Background. The acinic cell carcinoma (AciCC) of the parotid gland is a rare tumor with an indolent behavior; however, a subgroup of this tumor presents an aggressive behavior with a tendency to recur. The aim of this multicenter study was to identify and stratify those patients with AciCC at high risk of tumor recurrence. Methods. A retrospective study was carried out involving 77 patients treated with surgery between January 2000 and September 2022, in different Italian referral centers. Data about tumor characteristics and its recurrence were collected. The histological specimens and slides were independently reviewed by a senior pathologist coordinator (L.C.) and the institution’s local head and neck pathologist. Results. The patients’ age average was 53.6 years, with a female prevalence in the group. The mean follow-up was 67.4 months (1-258, SD 59.39). The five-year overall survival (OS) was 83.2%. The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) was 60% (95% CI 58.2–61.7). A high incidence of necrosis, extraglandular spread, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), atypical mitosis, and cellular pleomorphism was observed in the high-risk tumors compared to the low-risk ones. Conclusion. AciCC generally had an indolent behavior, optimal OS, DFS with few cervical node metastases, and rare distant relapses. This multicenter retrospective case series provides evidence of the need for clinical–epidemiological–histological stratification for patients at risk of poor outcomes. Our results suggest that the correct definition of high-risk AciCC should include tumor size, the presence of necrosis, extraglandular spread, LVI, atypical mitosis, and cellular pleomorphism

Bimodal hearing in asymmetrical hearing loss: prospective study in patients with same CI and HA devices

With progressive expansion in candidacy criteria for CI, it is increasingly common to implant candidates with severe to profound hearing loss in one side and substantial acoustic hearing in the contralateral hear (Mild-moderate HL up to 500Hz and severe to profound > 1000 Hz). These patient typically display > 50% sentences recognition in quiet and poor recognition in noise. One critical factor is the long duration of hearing loss with variable deprivation of the implanted side. It has been shown how the better the residual hearing in the ear with the hearing aid, the greater were the benefits obtained with bilateralism–binaurality, although there is a critical central integration, perceptual loudness balancing and pitch perception difference that increase the mismatching between electric and acoustic hearing. One of the issue brought in favor of maintaining the acoustic stimulation is the ability to provide quality information on the Fundamental frequency(F0), improving the perception of timber and low-frequency fine-structure information. The aim of the present study was to assess the bimodal benefit in a cohort of patients using the same CI and HA, in order to assess bimodal benefit in quiet and in noise, and correlation of F0 perception with perception in nois

Bimodal cochlear implantation in elderly patients

Objective: Bimodal stimulation is a standard option for asymmetric hearing loss in adults. Questions have been raised whether receiving two stimulations may conflict in elderly listeners where the central integration of an acoustic/electrical signal may be very important to obtain benefit in terms of speech perception. Design: Clinical retrospective study. Study sample: The outcomes from 17 bimodal cochlear implant (CI) users were analysed. The test material consisted of speech audiometry in quiet and in noise (STARR and Matrix). Results: Bimodal PTA and speech perception both in quiet and in noise were significantly better than CI or HA alone. Age showed a significant effect on bimodal STARR outcomes. Similarly, bimodal STARR scores improved significantly in comparison to Better Ear. Conclusion: Both Matrix and STARR tests were very difficult for many elderly CI listeners from the present study group, especially in unilateral listening condition. The performance improved significantly, emphasising a good integration of acoustic and electric hearing in this group of elderly bimodal listeners. Overall results highlighted how a specific study, based on speech perception in noise in the elderly listeners, might shed light on the effect of speech test modality on bimodal outcomes

HEARING DYSFUNCTION IN SJOGREN'S SYNDROME

Background. Hearing dysfunction, caused by the involvement of the vestibulocochlear nerve or by direct damage on inner ear structures has been described in patients with Sjogren's Syndrome (SS). Previous studies evaluating the prevalence and incidence of hearing dysfunction in SS showed conflicting results, therefore, to date, the exact prevalence has not been extensively evaluated. Objectives. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of hearing involvement in patients with primary SS (pSS). Materials and methods. Patients with pSS (AECC criteria) with >=18 years of age attending a dedicated Sjogren's syndrome clinic were consecutively enrolled Auditory function was investigated by pure tone audiometry (PTA), It-Matrix test (Speech Reception Threshold in noise leading to 50% correct sentences-SRT) and the Hearing Handicap Inventory (HHI) during a baseline visit and at a follow up visit. A questionnaire of auto-evaluation of hearing loss impact on life was also administered to the patients. Results. Twenty-five patients with pSS (24 females) were enrolled in the study. The median age was 56.2 years (IQR 49-64) The mean disease duration was 3.7 years, 8 were treated with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and 1 with methotrexate. At baseline evaluation PTA revealed hearing loss in 17 patients (68%) with severity ranging from mild to severe. Fifteen patients (60%) presented mild hearing loss, 1(4%) moderate e 1 (4%) severe. The It-Matrix score ranged from -9.9 to 0.9 (median - 3.50). Median HHI score was 12.17 (min 0, max 68, SD 177.9). For Covid restrictions, a follow-up evaluation was available for 10 patients only. In these patients, a worsening of PTA and HHI was observed. Interestingly, the it-Matrix scores of patients with a stable disease showed an improvement. Conclusions. These preliminary findings suggest that hearing involvement is common in patients with SS and that it progresses over time. If confirmed on larger cohorts, these data will be useful for physicians in counseling patients about their disease and, in case of suspicious symptoms, an early evaluation by an otolaryngologist may prevent delay in diagnosis and allow an appropriate diagnostic evaluation and therapeutic intervention

Electrochemotherapy in head and neck cancer: a review of an emerging cancer treatment

Patients affected by aggressive neoplasms with a high propensity to metastasize to the skin, such as some head and neck cancers, can benefit from electrochemotherapy, a modality that combines electroporation of cell membranes and chemotherapy to facilitate the transport of non-permeant molecules into cells; the host immune response consequently participates in achieving cure of tumors. Electrochemotherapy (A) can be successfully used for skin metastases of head and neck tumors and, with some limitations, for primary and relapsing neoplasms; (B) can be applied on an outpatient basis with a favourable cost-benefit ratio; (C) is a repeatable treatment that, if necessary, can be followed by traditional antineoplastic therapies. Although still a palliative treatment, the good level of tolerability and the high success rates of electrochemotherapy make it worth consideration among treatment options in selected patients

The pre- and post-somatic segments of the human type I spiral ganglion neurons--structural and functional considerations related to cochlear implantation

Human auditory nerve afferents consist of two separate systems; one is represented by the large type I cells innervating the inner hair cells and the other one by the small type II cells innervating the outer hair cells. Type I spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) constitute 96% of the afferent nerve population and, in contrast to other mammals, their soma and pre- and post-somatic segments are unmyelinated. Type II nerve soma and fibers are unmyelinated. Histopathology and clinical experience imply that human SGNs can persist electrically excitable without dendrites, thus lacking connection to the organ of Corti. The biological background to this phenomenon remains elusive. We analyzed the pre- and post-somatic segments of the type I human SGNs using immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in normal and pathological conditions. These segments were found surrounded by non-myelinated Schwann cells (NMSCs) showing strong intracellular expression of laminin-β2/collagen IV. These cells also bordered the perikaryal entry zone and disclosed surface rugosities outlined by a folded basement membrane (BM) expressing laminin-β2 and collagen IV. It is presumed that human large SGNs are demarcated by three cell categories: (a) myelinated Schwann cells, (b) NMSCs and (c) satellite glial cells (SGCs). Their BMs express laminin-β2/collagen IV and reaches the BM of the sensory epithelium at the habenula perforata. We speculate that the NMSCs protect SGNs from further degeneration following dendrite loss. It may give further explanation why SGNs can persist as electrically excitable monopolar cells even after long-time deafness, a blessing for the deaf treated with cochlear implantation