Endoscope-Assisted Cochlear Implantation

Objectives Our aim was to present our endoscope-assisted cochlear implantation (CI) technique, in which the middle ear landmarks were identified through the facial recess exposure by using an endoscopic view without elevating the tympanic annulus. The secondary goal was to assess whether the situation of difficult surgical exposure could be predicted by evaluating preoperative axial computed tomography (CT) examinations. Methods CT examinations and surgical outcomes of endoscope-assisted CI surgeries were analyzed. Results A total of 179 CI operations performed in 27 adults (15.1%) and 152 children (84.9%) were retrospectively evaluated. It was found that in 14 cases (7.8%), endoscopic examination contributed substantially in identifying the round window (RW) membrane correctly. Endoscopic identification of the RW through the posterior tympanotomy enabled us to perform a straightforward surgery in all these cases, without the need for switching to a bony cochleostomy or alternative surgical techniques. The difficulty in the surgical exposure was predicted preoperatively by examining the axial CT scans in six of the 14 cases (42.8%) for which endoscopic assistance was necessary in order to identify the RW correctly. Conclusion The main benefit of endoscope-assisted CI is the improved visibility leading to a panoramic view of the RW region. The implementation of transfacial recess endoscopic examination into the conventional CI technique is helpful to avoid problems during surgical orientation. However, the difficulty in the surgical exposure of the RW cannot be reliably predicted by the subjective evaluation of preoperative CT scans and more studies are needed to obtain reliable criteria

Validity and Reliability of the Diagnostic Tests for Ménière's Disease

Ménière's disease is defined as an idiopathic syndrome characterized by endolymphatic hydrops. Various tests and measurement methods have been employed for the diagnosis of Ménière's disease. These include audiological, vestibular, radiological, clinical, and biochemical tests. However, the lack of a definitive or gold standard diagnostic test sometimes complicates the process of diagnosis. Hence, the clinician should be well-experienced in deciding when to perform a test and how to interpret the results of the test. Furthermore, having the knowledge of the validity and reliability of these tests plays a critical role. This review particularly emphasizes on remarking the validity and reliability of each test performed for the diagnosis of Ménière's disease and discussing the results according to the up-to-date literature

3D Model to Understand the Diagnosis and Treatment of Horizontal Canal BPPV

Objective:Our primary objective was to develop a three-dimensional (3D) model of the vestibular labyrinth to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) observed during common diagnostic positional tests. We secondarily aimed to monitor the effects of the repositioning maneuvers and use this tool in teaching.Methods:A 3D model of a human semicircular canals (SSCs) system was created by 3D printing the core and assembling it with silicone tubing filled with lubricant oil containing colored small stones in the lumen mimicking otoconia. We used the model in horizontal canal BPPV diagnostic tests and therapeutic maneuvers. The working mechanism of the model we designed was recorded with video.Results:The model allowed for a clear display of the anatomy and the respective orientations of the SSCs. Otolith movement in the horizontal canals could be imitated during diagnostic positional tests (Dix-Hallpike and Pagnini-McClure) and therapeutic maneuvers (Epley, Semont, Lempert and Gufoni).Conclusion:As well as helping to understand the anatomy and physiology of the SSCs, this simple 3D model also provides a teaching tool for the diagnosis and treatment of BPPV. The mechanism of horizontal canal canalithiasis and the effect of therapeutic repositioning maneuvers could be clearly observed by watching the markers in the lumen demonstrating the progress of otolith movements with changes in head position relative to gravity

The Effect of Tympanic Membrane Perforation Site, Size and Middle Ear Volume on Hearing Loss

Objective:The aim of this study was to analyze the location and the size of perforation in cases with tympanic membrane perforation, its relation to the manubrium mallei and middle ear volume, and to investigate how these are correlated with the severity and frequencies of conductive hearing loss.Methods: This prospectively designed study included the patients who presented to the the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at the Dokuz Eylül University with hearing loss or tinnitus complaints in the period from June 2014 through June 2017 and were identified to have tympanic membrane perforation in their otoscopic examination. Patients who underwent myringoplasty and type 1 tympanoplasty and whose air-bone gap was found lower than 10 dB in the postoperative audiological examination were included in the study. Effects of the perforation size, the perforation site, and the relationship of the perforation with the manubrium, as well as the effects of the middle ear volume on the severity and frequency of conductive hearing loss were compared.Results: The study included 44 ears of 38 patients (13 male and 25 female) of whom six had tympanic membrane perforation in both ears. Air conduction threshold and air-bone gap were significantly found higher if the perforation area was wide (p<0.05), the perforation involved both the anterior and the posterior quadrants (p<0.05), had contact with the manubrium mallei (p<0.05), and the middle ear volume reduced (p<0.05).Conclusion: Solely tympanic membrane perforation affects hearing function; nevertheless, hearing function are better in cases, which have perforations small in size, no contact with manubrium mallei and well pneumatized middle ears

The Diagnostic Efficacy of MRI in the Evaluation of the Enlarged Vestibular Aqueduct in Children with Hearing Loss

Objective: The aim of our study is to evaluate the diagnostic effectiveness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compared to computed tomography (CT) in the detection of enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA) in childhood.Methods: One hundred twenty-three children who underwent temporal bone CT and MRI examinations for hearing loss between 2013 and 2020 were evaluated retrospectively. All CT and MRI images were examined by two pediatric radiologists, according to the Valvassori and Cincinnati criteria for EVA. Imaging findings on CT and MRI of the vestibular aqueduct were recorded. Two pediatric radiologists performed the measurements for EVA on CT and MRI. In addition, an otolaryngologist performed the measurements independently. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of MRI compared to CT were calculated to detect EVA. The difference between the measurements on CT and MRI was investigated. The inter-observer agreement was evaluated for measurements.Results: The mean age of 123 children (65 boys and 58 girls) was 50.18±50.40 months. Two hundred forty-six ears were evaluated in 123 children. On CT images, EVA was present in 28 (11.3%) of 246 ears according to Cincinnati criteria and 27 (10.9%) of 246 ears according to Valvassori criteria, respectively. While sensitivity, specificity, PPD, and NPD rates of MRI were 100%, 99%, 92.8%, and 100%, respectively, for Cincinnati criteria, for Valvassori criteria, they were 100%, 97.3%, 77.7%, and 100%, respectively. According to the visual evaluation performed without using measurement, the enlarged appearance of the vestibular aqueduct was significant for the diagnosis of EVA (p<0.001), while the absence of this appearance was significant for the exclusion of EVA (p<0.001). There was no significant difference between the measurements on CT and MRI. There was a perfect correlation between the observers for measurements.Conclusion: MRI can be used as an initial imaging technique in children with suspicion of EVA to reduce radiation exposure

Myxoma of the Middle Ear Mimicking Chronic Otitis Media

Myxoma is a benign connective tissue tumor that arises mostly from the heart. Temporal bone myxomas are extremely rare and these patients should be evaluated for the Carney complex association. Herein, our aim was to present a middle ear myxoma case operated with an initial diagnosis of chronic otitis media (COM) and to underline the fact that myxomas should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of aural polyps

Comparison of Audiological Findings in Patients with Vestibular Migraine and Migraine

Objective:The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the auditory findings in vestibular migraine (VM) and migraine patients without a history of vertigo.Methods:This study was conducted on 44 patients diagnosed with definite VM and 31 patients diagnosed with migraine who were followed and treated between January 2011 and February 2015. Also, 52 healthy subjects were included in this study as a control group. All participants underwent a detailed otorhinolaryngological examination followed by audiological evaluation, including pure tone audiometry, speech reception threshold, speech recognition score, and acoustic immitancemetry.Results:In the VM group, there were 16 patients (36.4%) with tinnitus, while in the other groups we did not observe any patients with tinnitus. The rate of tinnitus in the VM group was significantly higher in comparison to other groups (p<0.05). None of the groups had any patients with permanent or fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss.Conclusion:We conclude that patients with VM should be closely and longitudinally followed up for the early detection of other otological symptoms and possible occurrence of sensorineural hearing loss in the long term

Assessment of Subepithelial Angiogenesis in Acquired Cholesteatoma between Pediatric and Adult Patients

Objective:The aim of this study was to compare subepithelial angiogenesis developing within the perimatrix of the cholesteatoma between pediatric and adult patients.Methods:Sixty-one patients who underwent mastoidectomy for the first intent because of chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma between 1993 and 2013 and from whom appropriate tissue specimens were taken were included in the study. The patients were classified in the pediatric patient group if they were under the age of 18 years and the adult patient group if they were 18 years and older. Immunohistochemical staining for CD-31 was performed on new sections taken during surgery and sections prepared from archived tissues in paraffin blocks. Results were compared between the groups.Results:A total of 61 patients, of whom 25 were pediatric and 36 were adult patients, were included in the study. The mean CD-31 immunopositive microvessel rates were 8.8 (3-15) and 6.61 (2-14) for the pediatric and adult patient groups, respectively. The difference between the groups was statistically significant (p=0.037). Correlation analysis showed a statistically significant negative correlation between the CD-31 immunopositive microvessel rates and age (p=0.036).Conclusion:Subepithelial angiogenesis developing within the perimatrix of the cholesteatoma of the pediatric patients was more expressed than that of the adult patients