Internal auditory canal volume in normal and malformed inner ears

Purpose: A narrow bony internal auditory canal (IAC) may be associated with a hypoplastic cochlear nerve and poorer hearing performances after cochlear implantation. However, definitions for a narrow IAC vary widely and commonly, qualitative grading or two-dimensional measures are used to characterize a narrow IAC. We aimed to refine the definition of a narrow IAC by determining IAC volume in both control patients and patients with inner ear malformations (IEMs). Methods: In this multicentric study, we included high-resolution CT (HRCT) scans of 128 temporal bones (85 with IEMs: cochlear aplasia, n = 11; common cavity, n = 2; cochlear hypoplasia type, n = 19; incomplete partition type I/III, n = 8/8; Mondini malformation, n = 16; enlarged vestibular aqueduct syndrome, n = 19; 45 controls). The IAC diameter was measured in the axial plane and the IAC volume was measured by semi-automatic segmentation and three-dimensional reconstruction. Results: In controls, the mean IAC diameter was 5.5 mm (SD 1.1 mm) and the mean IAC volume was 175.3 mm3 (SD 52.6 mm3). Statistically significant differences in IAC volumes were found in cochlear aplasia (68.3 mm3, p < 0.0001), IPI (107.4 mm3, p = 0.04), and IPIII (277.5 mm3, p = 0.0004 mm3). Inter-rater reliability was higher in IAC volume than in IAC diameter (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.92 vs. 0.77). Conclusions: Volumetric measurement of IAC in cases of IEMs reduces measurement variability and may add to classifying IEMs. Since a hypoplastic IAC can be associated with a hypoplastic cochlear nerve and sensorineural hearing loss, radiologic assessment of the IAC is crucial in patients with severe sensorineural hearing loss undergoing cochlear implantation. Keywords: 3D segmentation; Cochlear malformation; Diagnosis; Inner ear malformation; Internal auditory canal; Volum

Volumetry improves the assessment of the vestibular aqueduct size in inner ear malformation

Objectives: Enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA) is a common finding associated with inner ear malformations (IEM). However, uniform radiologic definitions for EVA are missing and various 2D-measurement methods to define EVA have been reported. This study evaluates VA volume in different types of IEM and compares 3D-reconstructed VA volume to 2D-measurements. Methods: A total of 98 high-resolution CT (HRCT) data sets from temporal bones were analyzed (56 with IEM; [cochlear hypoplasia (CH; n = 18), incomplete partition type I (IPI; n = 12) and type II (IPII; n = 11) and EVA (n = 15)]; 42 controls). VA diameter was measured in axial images. VA volume was analyzed by software-based, semi-automatic segmentation and 3D-reconstruction. Differences in VA volume between the groups and associations between VA volume and VA diameter were assessed. Inter-rater-reliability (IRR) was assessed using the intra-class-correlation-coefficient (ICC). Results: Larger VA volumes were found in IEM compared to controls. Significant differences in VA volume between patients with EVA and controls (p < 0.001) as well as between IPII and controls (p < 0.001) were found. VA diameter at the midpoint (VA midpoint) and at the operculum (VA operculum) correlated to VA volume in IPI (VA midpoint: r = 0.78, VA operculum: r = 0.91), in CH (VA midpoint: r = 0.59, VA operculum: r = 0.61), in EVA (VA midpoint: r = 0.55, VA operculum: r = 0.66) and in controls (VA midpoint: r = 0.36, VA operculum: r = 0.42). The highest IRR was found for VA volume (ICC = 0.90). Conclusions: The VA diameter may be an insufficient estimate of VA volume, since (1) measurement of VA diameter does not reliably correlate with VA volume and (2) VA diameter shows a lower IRR than VA volume. 3D-reconstruction and VA volumetry may add information in diagnosing EVA in cases with or without additional IEM. Keywords: 3D segmentation; Cochlear malformation; Diagnosis; Inner ear malformation; Volum

Consensus Statement on Bone Conduction Devices and Active Middle Ear Implants in Conductive and Mixed Hearing Loss

Nowadays, several options are available to treat patients with conductive or mixed hearing loss. Whenever surgical intervention is not possible or contra-indicated, and amplification by a conventional hearing device (e.g., behind-the-ear device) is not feasible, then implantable hearing devices are an indispensable next option. Implantable bone-conduction devices and middle-ear implants have advantages but also limitations concerning complexity/invasiveness of the surgery, medical complications, and effectiveness. To counsel the patient, the clinician should have a good overview of the options with regard to safety and reliability as well as unequivocal technical performance data. The present consensus document is the outcome of an extensive iterative process including ENT specialists, audiologists, health-policy scientists, and representatives/technicians of the main companies in this field. This document should provide a first framework for procedures and technical characterization to enhance effective communication between these stakeholders, improving health care

Suitable Electrode Choice for Robotic-Assisted Cochlear Implant Surgery: A Systematic Literature Review of Manual Electrode Insertion Adverse Events

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The cochlear implant (CI) electrode insertion process is a key step in CI surgery. One of the aims of advances in robotic-assisted CI surgery (RACIS) is to realize better cochlear structure preservation and to precisely control insertion. The aim of this literature review is to gain insight into electrode selection for RACIS by acquiring a thorough knowledge of electrode insertion and related complications from classic CI surgery involving a manual electrode insertion process. METHODS: A systematic electronic search of the literature was carried out using PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and Web of Science to find relevant literature on electrode tip fold over (ETFO), electrode scalar deviation (ESD), and electrode migration (EM) from both pre-shaped and straight electrode types. RESULTS: A total of 82 studies that include 8,603 ears implanted with a CI, i.e., pre-shaped (4,869) and straight electrodes (3,734), were evaluated. The rate of ETFO (25 studies, 2,335 ears), ESD (39 studies, 3,073 ears), and EM (18 studies, 3,195 ears) was determined. An incidence rate (±95% CI) of 5.38% (4.4–6.6%) of ETFO, 28.6% (26.6–30.6%) of ESD, and 0.53% (0.2–1.1%) of EM is associated with pre-shaped electrodes, whereas with straight electrodes it was 0.51% (0.1–1.3%), 11% (9.2–13.0%), and 3.2% (2.5–3.95%), respectively. The differences between the pre-shaped and straight electrode types are highly significant (p < 0.001). Laboratory experiments show evidence that robotic insertions of electrodes are less traumatic than manual insertions. The influence of round window (RW) vs. cochleostomy (Coch) was not assessed. CONCLUSION: Considering the current electrode designs available and the reported incidence of insertion complications, the use of straight electrodes in RACIS and conventional CI surgery (and manual insertion) appears to be less traumatic to intracochlear structures compared with pre-shaped electrodes. However, EM of straight electrodes should be anticipated. RACIS has the potential to reduce these complications

Influence of Short-Term Glucocorticoid Therapy on Regulatory T Cells In Vivo

Background: Pre- and early clinical studies on patients with autoimmune diseases suggested that induction of regulatory T(Treg) cells may contribute to the immunosuppressive effects of glucocorticoids(GCs). Objective: We readdressed the influence of GC therapy on Treg cells in immunocompetent human subjects and naı¨ve mice. Methods: Mice were treated with increasing doses of intravenous dexamethasone followed by oral taper, and Treg cells in spleen and blood were analyzed by FACS. Sixteen patients with sudden hearing loss but without an inflammatory disease received high-dose intravenous prednisolone followed by stepwise dose reduction to low oral prednisolone. Peripheral blood Treg cells were analyzed prior and after a 14 day GC therapy based on different markers. Results: Repeated GC administration to mice for three days dose-dependently decreased the absolute numbers of Treg cells in blood (100 mg dexamethasone/kg body weight: 2.861.86104 cells/ml vs. 336116104 in control mice) and spleen (dexamethasone: 2.861.96105/spleen vs. 956226105/spleen in control mice), which slowly recovered after 14 days taper in spleen but not in blood. The relative frequency of FOXP3+ Treg cells amongst the CD4+ T cells also decreased in a dose dependent manner with the effect being more pronounced in blood than in spleen. The suppressive capacity of Treg cells was unaltered by GC treatment in vitro. In immunocompetent humans, GCs induced mild T cell lymphocytosis. However, it did not change the relative frequency of circulating Treg cells in a relevant manner, although there was some variation depending on the definition of the Treg cells (FOXP3+: 4.061.5% vs 3.461.5%*; AITR+: 0.660.4 vs 0.560.3%, CD127low: 4.061.3 vs 5.063.0%* and CTLA4+: 13.8611.5 vs 15.6612.5%; * p,0.05). Conclusion: Short-term GC therapy does not induce the hitherto supposed increase in circulating Treg cell frequency, neither in immunocompetent humans nor in mice. Thus, it is questionable that the clinical efficacy of GCs is achieved by modulating Treg cell numbers

Der Einfluss der Nasennebenhöhlen auf das Messergebnis der Akustischen Rhinometrie

Die Akustische Rhinometrie (AR) ermöglicht die graphische Darstellung von Querschnittsflächen der Nase in Abhängigkeit von ihrer Distanz zum Ostium externum. Es können morphologische Aussagen über die Binnenstruktur der Nase getroffen werden. Für Ungenauigkeiten im hinteren Verlauf der AR-Kurve wird in der Literatur ein Einfluss der Nasennebenhöhlen (NNH) diskutiert. An einem Kästchenmodell, zwei verschiedenen Nasenmodellen, einem Kadaver sowie an Probanden wurde systematisch der Einfluss der NNH auf die Messergebnisse der AR untersucht. Hierfür wurden an den Modellen Nebenhöhlen mit unterschiedlichen Volumina angebracht. Die Öffnungen zwischen Nase und NNH differierten in Durchmesser und Länge. Am Kadaver und an den Probanden wurde nach Punktion des Sinus maxillaris dessen Volumen durch Füllung mit Flüssigkeit systematisch verringert. Modelle, Kadaver und Probanden wurden mit AR vermessen. Im Kästchenmodell zeigt sich ein volumenabhängiger Einfluss auf die akustische Querschnittsflächenmessung im hinteren Kurvenbereich. Dieser Effekt wird mit steigender Länge und abnehmendem Durchmesser der Öffnung zur „Nebenhöhle" geringer. Bei Simulation einer Nasenmuschel wird der Effekt weiter limitiert. Im Nasenmodell kann kein Einfluss der Nebenhöhlen auf die AR nachgewiesen werden. Die Untersuchungen am Kadaver und an Patienten bestätigen, dass das Volumen der NNH keinen signifikanten Einfluss auf das Messergebnis der AR hat. Mit der AR ist eine Messung der Querschnittsflächen in der Nase bis etwa 5 cm vom Ostium extemum möglich. Die falsch zu groß gemessenen Flächen im posterioren Anteil sind durch einen Einfluss der NNH nicht zu erklären. Hierfür muss nach Unzulänglichkeiten der Meßmethode gefahndet werden.Acoustic rhinometry (AR) is a promising diagnostic tool in rhinology. The area-distance graph gives clues about the morphology of the nose. Paranasal sinuses are discussed as a main factor for inaccuracy of the measurement results in the posterior part of the nose. We studied the influence of paranasal sinuses on the outcome of AR in box like models, nose models, one cadaver as well as seven patients. Paranasal sinuses differing in volume between 0 and 20ml were fixed and the models measured varying the length and diameter of the joint between model and paranasal sinus. The maxillar sinus of the cast and the patients was punctured and systematically filled with saline, AR performed thereafter. In the box like models, we found a volume depending effect on the posterior AR results which is limited by the length and diameter of the paranasal junction as well as the concha. Only little influence was seen in the anatomical nose models. The tests on cast and subjects proofed that there is no significant modification of the posterior area distance curve in AR. Acoustic rhinometry shows reproducible area distance function up to 5cm in the anterior part of the nose. The paranasal sinuses only partially account for the inaccuracy esp. in the posterior section of the area distance curve

Mastoid cavity obliteration leads to a clinically significant improvement in health-related quality of life

OBJECTIVE: To assess the change in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients undergoing mastoid cavity obliteration. METHODS: Patients who had undergone canal wall-down mastoidectomy for chronic otitis media with creation of a persistent mastoid cavity and underwent revision tympanomastoid surgery including mastoid cavity obliteration using autologous material were included. Audiological measurements including air conduction (AC) and bone conduction (BC) pure-tone averages (PTA) and the air-bone gap (ABG) were assessed. Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) was assessed by the Zurich Chronic Middle Ear Inventory (ZCMEI-21) pre- and postoperatively. RESULTS: A total of 25 patients (16 females and 9 males; mean age 51.6 years, 14 right and 11 left ears) were included. Patients were reexamined after a mean follow-up period of 9.2 months (SD = 6.5) after obliteration of the mastoid cavity. Compared to the preoperative visit, patients showed a significantly reduced AC PTA at the postoperative visit (mean difference: - 4.1; SD = 10.4, p = 0.045). The mean ZCMEI-21 score changed from 31.7 (SD = 14.5) preoperatively to 17.4 (SD = 15.1) postoperatively (mean difference: - 14.3; SD = 19.1; p = 0.0002). The mean ZCMEI-21 score changes were neither correlated to the AC PTA shift (p = 0.60) nor to the ABG shift (p = 0.66). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study reporting a highly significant and clinically important improvement in HRQoL after mastoid cavity obliteration in a prospective setting. The improvement in HRQoL was not correlated to the hearing improvement. As a clinical implication, we provide evidence for a substantial subjective benefit of the surgical obliteration of a symptomatic mastoid cavity and, therefore, encourage this surgical procedure

Establishing the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of the Zurich Chronic Middle Ear Inventory (ZCMEI-21) in patients treated for chronic middle ear disease

Aim!#!To determine the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of the Zurich Chronic Middle Ear Inventory (ZCMEI-21), a questionnaire assessing health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in chronic otitis media (COM).!##!Methods!#!In this longitudinal study, 103 patients completed the ZCMEI-21 before and after surgery for chronic otitis media. An anchor-based method including a global rating of change (GRC) was used to assess the MCID of the ZCMEI-21.!##!Results!#!A total of 103 patients were included. The mean preoperative and postoperative ZCMEI-21 scores were 28.6 (SD 13.6), and 21.8 (SD 12.8), respectively. The mean change was 6.8 (SD 0.8; p &amp;lt; 0.0001). A significant correlation between the ZCMEI-21 scores and the GRC was found (r =  - 0.5; p &amp;lt; 0.001). Using the anchor-based method, the MCID of the ZCMEI-21 was estimated at 5.3 (SD 12.0).!##!Conclusions!#!Knowledge of values indicating a clinically relevant change in patient-reported outcome measures is important when interpreting effects of different treatment modalities. This is the first study assessing the MCID of a questionnaire measuring HRQoL in COM, i.e. the ZCMEI-21. We recommend a MCID of 5 in COM patients undergoing surgical treatment. This information substantially increases the usefulness of the ZCMEI-21 as an outcome measure in COM as changes can be assessed with regard to their clinical meaningfulness

Establishing the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of the Zurich Chronic Middle Ear Inventory (ZCMEI-21) in patients treated for chronic middle ear disease

AIM: To determine the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of the Zurich Chronic Middle Ear Inventory (ZCMEI-21), a questionnaire assessing health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in chronic otitis media (COM). METHODS: In this longitudinal study, 103 patients completed the ZCMEI-21 before and after surgery for chronic otitis media. An anchor-based method including a global rating of change (GRC) was used to assess the MCID of the ZCMEI-21. RESULTS: A total of 103 patients were included. The mean preoperative and postoperative ZCMEI-21 scores were 28.6 (SD 13.6), and 21.8 (SD 12.8), respectively. The mean change was 6.8 (SD 0.8; p < 0.0001). A significant correlation between the ZCMEI-21 scores and the GRC was found (r =  - 0.5; p < 0.001). Using the anchor-based method, the MCID of the ZCMEI-21 was estimated at 5.3 (SD 12.0). CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of values indicating a clinically relevant change in patient-reported outcome measures is important when interpreting effects of different treatment modalities. This is the first study assessing the MCID of a questionnaire measuring HRQoL in COM, i.e. the ZCMEI-21. We recommend a MCID of 5 in COM patients undergoing surgical treatment. This information substantially increases the usefulness of the ZCMEI-21 as an outcome measure in COM as changes can be assessed with regard to their clinical meaningfulness

Evaluating hearing outcome, recidivism and complications in cholesteatoma surgery using the ChOLE classification system

Purpose: To establish a standardized reporting system of cholesteatoma, the ChOLE classification has recently been introduced. We here aimed to systematically investigate the association between the ChOLE classification and (i) hearing, (ii) recidivism rate, and (iii) postoperative complications. These data may increase the utility of the ChOLE classification in clinical practice and research by stratifying patients according to expected outcomes or risks for complications. Methods: In this prospective multicentric study, we included adult patients undergoing tympanomastoid surgery due to cholesteatoma. Main outcome measures included the association of the ChOLE classification system with (i) audiometric data including air conduction (AC) and bone conduction (BC) pure-tone average (PTA), and the air-bone gap (ABG), (ii) recidivism and complication. Results: A total of 160 patients suffering from cholesteatoma were included. ChOLE stage distribution was stage I in 23 (14%), stage II in 128 (80%), and stage III in 9 (6%) patients. The ChOLE stage was associated with the postoperative AC PTA (p = 0.05) and the postoperative BC PTA (p = 0.02). Further, the status of the ossicular chain after surgery (ChOLE subdivision "O") was associated with both the postoperative ABG (p = 0.0001) and the postoperative AC PTA (p = 0.003). Moreover, we found an association between complications (ChOLE subdivision "L) and both the postoperative BC PTA (p = 0.04) and the postoperative ABG (p = 0.04). No association between the ChOLE stage was found to both cholesteatoma recidivism and surgical complications. Conclusion: The ChOLE classification is a new system to classify cholesteatomas. We provide evidence that hearing outcomes vary among different ChOLE stages. In particular, hearing outcomes are associated with the ChOLE subdivision "O" and "L". Thus, the ChOLE classification system has a predictive value regarding hearing outcomes