Image-guided temporal bone dissection course

Introduction: Temporal bone anatomy is complex and demands a profound anatomical knowledge. Association between surgery and imaging helps in the process of learning three-dimensional (3D) anatomy and surgical techniques. High definition temporal bone imaging can play an important role in dissection training. Objective: To describe a computed tomography (CT) image-guided temporal bone dissection course for surgical training in otolaryngology and to verify the satisfaction level of the students with the course. Methods: Descriptive research. The course took place at a research laboratory, with three experienced temporal bone surgeons. The participants were 12 otolaryngology residents. The laboratory has 7 modern workstations with microscope and monitors linked with a computerized video system. Cadaveric temporal bones were donated to the university. Imaging acquisition of the cadaveric temporal bones used in the course was performed in a multislice CT scanner. The CT images of cadaveric temporal bones were available with real-time access on the laboratory monitor's screens during dissections. Results: A total of 13 temporal bones were included for dissection. Students had the opportunity to view on the same screen, simultaneously, both the dissection video and the respective CT images of their temporal bone anatomical specimens. This allowed correlating surgical and imaging aspects of temporal bone anatomy. At the end of the course, participants answered a satisfaction survey. Conclusion: Considering imaging methods are routinely used during most otologic surgeries, detailed knowledge of CT imaging should be explored in conjunction with the temporal bone anatomical dissection

Single-needle arthrocentesis with upper compartment distension versus conventional two-needle arthrocentesis : randomized clinical trial

The objective of this study was to compare single-needle arthrocentesis with distension of the upper compartment of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) with the conventional two-needle arthrocentesis. Twenty-six patients with articular disc displacement without reduction (DDWOR) were included in the study and assigned to two groups ( = 13): single-needle arthrocentesis with distension of the upper compartment of the TMJ (1N) and conventional two-needle arthrocentesis (2N). The maximum interincisal distance (MID) and TMJ pain as measured by the visual analog scale (VAS) were compared. MID and VAS data were obtained: before (T1), seven days after (T2), fifteen days after (T3), one month after (T4), three months after (T5), six months after (T6), nine months after (T7), and one year after the arthrocentesis procedures (T8). Considering each group individually, results of the VAS scores and MID measurements showed a significant difference between T1 and T2–T8 ( 0.05). Both techniques tested were effective in reducing pain and increasing MID. Due to the advantages over the conventional two-needle arthrocentesis, single-needle arthrocentesiswith distension of the upper compartment should be considered as the first treatment option for patients with painful hypomobilized TMJ of DDWOR

Transcanal cochleostomy in cochlear implant surgery : long-term results of a cohort study

A técnica de acesso combinado (TAC) ao implante coclear (IC) é uma variação da técnica clássica de mastoidectomia e timpanotomia posterior (MPTA). A TAC combina um acesso transcanal à cocleostomia com uma timpanotomia posterior reduzida para a inserção dos eletrodos. Objetivo: Avaliar e comparar a segurança e efetividade em longo prazo alcançados com a TAC e MPTA em pacientes submetidos a IC em um centro brasileiro. Desenho científico: Estudo de série. Material e Método: Pacientes submetidos a IC usando TAC e MPTA foram acompanhados em um estudo de coorte. Os desfechos avaliados foram complicações, avaliação audiométrica e radiológica pós- -operatórias. Resultados: Quarenta e quatro pacientes foram implantados usando a TAC e 31 usando MPTA. Não houve casos de paralisia facial, mastoidite, colesteatoma ou fístula após 3,4±1,0 anos. A avaliação radiológica da posição dos eletrodos a mediana de eletrodos fora da cóclea foi de 0 no grupo TAC e de 3 no MPTA (p < 0,001). Não houve diferença entre os grupos em termos de desempenho audiológico no pós-operatório. Conclusão: A cocleostomia via transcanal combinada com uma timpanotomia posterior reduzida é um acesso alternativo ao IC que demonstrou segurança e menor migração de eletrodos em longo prazo. Esses achados encorajam o uso da via transcanal para a cocleostomia como uma opção alternativa de acesso ao IC.The combined approach technique (CAT) is a variation of the classical the mastoidectomy-posterior tympanotomy technique (MPTA) that combines a transcanal approach to cochleostomy with a reduced posterior tympanotomy for insertion of electrodes. Aim: To compare and evaluate longterm safety and effectiveness outcomes obtained with the CAT and with MPTA approach in patients submitted to cochlear implant (CI) surgery. Design: series study. Methods: Patients who underwent CI using CAT or MPTA at a Brazilian center were followed in a cohort study. Main outcomes were complications,audiometric performance and radiological evaluation of electrode position. Results: Fourty-four patients were implanted using CAT and 31 MPTA. There were no cases of facial nerve paralysis, mastoiditis, cholesteatoma or cerebrospinal fluid leaks after 3.4±1.0 years. Radiological evaluation of electrode position revealed that the median number of electrodes outside the cochlea was 0 in CAT and 3 in MPTA groups (p < 0.001). There were no differences between both surgical approaches in terms of mean pure-tone thresholds with CI at all frequencies. Conclusion: Longterm follow-up data showed that the transcanal route to cochleostomy, combined with a reduced posterior tympanotomy, is a safe alternative approach in cochlear implant surgery, with no related major complications and fewer cases of electrode migration when compared with the MPTA. These findings encourage the use of the transcanal route to cochleostomy as an alternative approach option

Transcanal cochleostomy in cochlear implant surgery : long-term results of a cohort study

A técnica de acesso combinado (TAC) ao implante coclear (IC) é uma variação da técnica clássica de mastoidectomia e timpanotomia posterior (MPTA). A TAC combina um acesso transcanal à cocleostomia com uma timpanotomia posterior reduzida para a inserção dos eletrodos. Objetivo: Avaliar e comparar a segurança e efetividade em longo prazo alcançados com a TAC e MPTA em pacientes submetidos a IC em um centro brasileiro. Desenho científico: Estudo de série. Material e Método: Pacientes submetidos a IC usando TAC e MPTA foram acompanhados em um estudo de coorte. Os desfechos avaliados foram complicações, avaliação audiométrica e radiológica pós- -operatórias. Resultados: Quarenta e quatro pacientes foram implantados usando a TAC e 31 usando MPTA. Não houve casos de paralisia facial, mastoidite, colesteatoma ou fístula após 3,4±1,0 anos. A avaliação radiológica da posição dos eletrodos a mediana de eletrodos fora da cóclea foi de 0 no grupo TAC e de 3 no MPTA (p < 0,001). Não houve diferença entre os grupos em termos de desempenho audiológico no pós-operatório. Conclusão: A cocleostomia via transcanal combinada com uma timpanotomia posterior reduzida é um acesso alternativo ao IC que demonstrou segurança e menor migração de eletrodos em longo prazo. Esses achados encorajam o uso da via transcanal para a cocleostomia como uma opção alternativa de acesso ao IC.The combined approach technique (CAT) is a variation of the classical the mastoidectomy-posterior tympanotomy technique (MPTA) that combines a transcanal approach to cochleostomy with a reduced posterior tympanotomy for insertion of electrodes. Aim: To compare and evaluate longterm safety and effectiveness outcomes obtained with the CAT and with MPTA approach in patients submitted to cochlear implant (CI) surgery. Design: series study. Methods: Patients who underwent CI using CAT or MPTA at a Brazilian center were followed in a cohort study. Main outcomes were complications,audiometric performance and radiological evaluation of electrode position. Results: Fourty-four patients were implanted using CAT and 31 MPTA. There were no cases of facial nerve paralysis, mastoiditis, cholesteatoma or cerebrospinal fluid leaks after 3.4±1.0 years. Radiological evaluation of electrode position revealed that the median number of electrodes outside the cochlea was 0 in CAT and 3 in MPTA groups (p < 0.001). There were no differences between both surgical approaches in terms of mean pure-tone thresholds with CI at all frequencies. Conclusion: Longterm follow-up data showed that the transcanal route to cochleostomy, combined with a reduced posterior tympanotomy, is a safe alternative approach in cochlear implant surgery, with no related major complications and fewer cases of electrode migration when compared with the MPTA. These findings encourage the use of the transcanal route to cochleostomy as an alternative approach option

Single-needle arthrocentesis with upper compartment distension versus conventional two-needle arthrocentesis : randomized clinical trial

The objective of this study was to compare single-needle arthrocentesis with distension of the upper compartment of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) with the conventional two-needle arthrocentesis. Twenty-six patients with articular disc displacement without reduction (DDWOR) were included in the study and assigned to two groups ( = 13): single-needle arthrocentesis with distension of the upper compartment of the TMJ (1N) and conventional two-needle arthrocentesis (2N). The maximum interincisal distance (MID) and TMJ pain as measured by the visual analog scale (VAS) were compared. MID and VAS data were obtained: before (T1), seven days after (T2), fifteen days after (T3), one month after (T4), three months after (T5), six months after (T6), nine months after (T7), and one year after the arthrocentesis procedures (T8). Considering each group individually, results of the VAS scores and MID measurements showed a significant difference between T1 and T2–T8 ( 0.05). Both techniques tested were effective in reducing pain and increasing MID. Due to the advantages over the conventional two-needle arthrocentesis, single-needle arthrocentesiswith distension of the upper compartment should be considered as the first treatment option for patients with painful hypomobilized TMJ of DDWOR