Research articleAbstract only
-
Guoping Yin, Mu He, Jinkun Xu, Xin Cao, ... Jingying Ye
In Press, Journal Pre-proof, Available online 11 December 2019
-
Abstract
Purpose
To evaluate the effects of short-term postoperative continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on the outcomes of velopharyngeal surgery for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Materials and methods
This study included 119 OSA patients who underwent velopharyngeal surgery. Based on the results of postoperative pulse oximetry, the patients were divided into 3 groups: intervention, control, and observation. Patients with oxygen desaturation index (ODI) > 10 and lowest SpO2 < 90% were randomly assigned to the CPAP intervention group and non-CPAP control. Patients with ODI ≤10 or lowest SpO2 ≥ 90% were assigned to the non-CPAP observation group. Patients in the intervention group completed at least 3 months of CPAP treatment. Postoperative polysomnography data were compared to assess the difference of prognosis between the three groups.
Results
Baseline data showed no significant differences between the three groups except the observational group showed a significantly larger tonsil size relative to the intervention and control groups. However, there was no significant difference in terms of tonsil size between the control and intervention groups. The surgical success rate of the intervention group was 80.65%, whereas it was 55.17% in the control group, with significant difference. The success rate of the observation group was 85.71% which was significantly different from that of the control group, but not the intervention group.
Conclusion
Short-term postoperative CPAP treatment may improve the outcomes of velopharyngeal surgery for OSA in patients who have respiratory events related hypoxia after surgery. Further studies are necessary for the underlying mechanisms.
Research articleAbstract only
-
Andrea Hanick, Joseph B. Meleca, Michael A. Fritz
In Press, Journal Pre-proof, Available online 10 December 2019
-
Abstract
Introduction
Demonstrate that carefully selected free flap patients may be discharged early after surgery without increasing the rates of postoperative complications or readmissions.
Methods
Based on a published article in Laryngoscope 2016 of 51 free-tissue transfers, a retrospective chart review was performed on an expanded cohort who underwent free-tissue transfer for head and neck reconstruction between February 2010 and May 2018 and discharged by postoperative day 3.
Results
101 patients who underwent 104 free flaps with average age of 56 (3–84) years old were reviewed. Free flap indications included orbital and maxillary defects (n = 22), palatal defects (n = 16), nasal and septal defects (n = 16), cranioplasty and scalp defects (n = 16), mandibular defects due to osteoradionecrosis (n = 14), facial contouring and parotid defects (n = 12), and complex postsurgical and radiotherapy wounds or fistula closure (n = 8). Free flaps performed were anterolateral thigh (n = 97), radial forearm (n = 2), serratus (n = 2), latissimus (n = 1), fibula (n = 1) and supraclavicular (n = 1). The recipient vessels used via minimal access approaches were facial (n = 43), superficial temporal (n = 29), angular (n = 20) and others. There were 3 flap failures (2.9%) recognized in follow-up. No flap failures or perioperative complications were associated with early discharge. There were only 2 patients readmitted and 1 watched in observation within 30 days postoperatively.
Conclusion
An updated review of our institutional experience with more than double the cohort size substantiates previous conclusions that early discharge after free-tissue transfer is a safe option in select patients. Moreover, earlier discharge is a critical management choice that reduces cost and decreases hospital-related adverse events.
Research articleAbstract only
-
Evette Ronner, Razan Basonbul, Rupal Bhakta, Leila Mankarious, ... Michael S. Cohen
In Press, Journal Pre-proof, Available online 10 December 2019
-
Abstract
Objective
Evaluate the impact of cochlear anomalies on hearing outcomes for pediatric patients with cochlear implants.
Study design
Retrospective chart review.
Subjects and methods
Charts were retrospectively reviewed for cases where pediatric cochlear implant surgery was performed between 2002 and 2018 at a single, tertiary care institution. Patients were divided into groups based on the presence or absence of radiological cochlear abnormalities, which were further classified as low or high risk anomalies. Hearing outcomes were evaluated by measuring pure tone averages and word recognition scores preoperatively, 3 and 12 months postoperatively, in addition to the most recent test results.
Results
There were 154 ears implanted in our cohort of 100 patients. 107 ears had normal cochlear anatomy, 31 had low risk, and 16 had high risk abnormalities. The most common modality of preoperative imaging was CT scan. Postoperative mean pure tone average (PTA) was significantly higher in patients with inner ear anomalies compared to those with normal anatomy. No significant difference in PTA was noted between low versus high risk patients. <50% of patients had word recognition scores available within the first year following surgery.
Conclusion
Abnormalities of the inner ear significantly influenced hearing outcomes over time following cochlear implant surgery when compared to pediatric patients with normal anatomy. Obtaining hearing testing can be difficult in very young children and therefore future studies are warranted to further investigate the impact that cochlear abnormalities may have on hearing outcomes following cochlear implant surgery.
Research articleAbstract only
-
Yan Guo, Fei Ning, Guojian Wang, Xiaohong Li, ... Pu Dai
In Press, Journal Pre-proof, Available online 6 December 2019
-
Abstract
Objective
Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare clinical disorder. We retrospectively analysed the clinical manifestations, treatments and prognoses of LCH cases involving the ear, nose, and neck.
Materials and methods
28 cases with confirmed LCH in ear, nose or neck were reviewed. We recorded patient age, sex, chief complaints, accompanying symptoms, lesional sites, radiological data, treatments and pathologies. Whole-exome sequencing was performed on the patient diagnosed with LCH and Treacher-Collins syndrome (TCS).
Results
The mean age was 14.86 years. Most LCH was in the ear (93%), usually in the mastoid. The most common symptoms were an ear mass and a purulent discharge. Imaging was not very useful. Treatments included surgery, chemotherapy, and radioactive particle implantation. Some cases exhibited multisystem involvement. Most patients enjoyed good prognoses. One patient was diagnosed with both temporal LCH and TCS. Whole-exome sequencing revealed a heterozygous c.261_272delAGGTACCCTTCC(p.87_91delRGTLPinsR) mutation in exon 2 of the POLR1D gene (NM_015972).
Conclusion
LCH mostly occurs in children. In head and neck it affects principally the mastoid part of the temporal bone. Treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and irradiation. Most patients enjoy good prognoses. LCH accompanied by TCS is rare and increases the difficulty of diagnosis; molecular data aid in TCS identification.
Research articleAbstract only
-
Eugene Hung Chih Wong, Aun Wee Chong
In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 5 December 2019
-
Abstract
Background
Many studies have looked at the effect of functional endoscopic sinus surgeries (FESS) on nasalance, nasal consonant and nasalized vowels. Only two studies investigated the effect of FESS on vocal sound quality and have not found statistically significant changes before and after operations. The aim of this study was to examine the short-term and long-term objective and subjective changes in the vocal quality of patients after FESS, comparing patients with and without nasal polyps.
Methods
Sixteen patients were recruited for voice analysis during pre-operative, within two weeks and at least three months post-operatively. Subjective questionnaire was used to assess perception of voice changes.
Results
There were no statistically significant changes in the acoustic parameters of patients with nasal polyposis. In patients with CRS without polyps, there was a statistically significant increase in fundamental frequency (F0) in nasal sound during early follow up. The changes in soft phonation index (SPI) values between the two groups were statistically significant during early follow-ups. Only patients with nasal polyposis perceived a subjective change in their voice post-operatively.
Conclusions
Clinicians should inform all patients, especially voice professionals about the possible effects of endoscopic sinus surgeries on their voice quality.
Research articleAbstract only
-
Flavia Sorrentino, Flavia Gheller, Giuseppe Lunardi, Davide Brotto, ... Roberto Bovo
In Press, Journal Pre-proof, Available online 2 December 2019
-
Abstract
Introduction
In the ENT community, auditory deprivation is frequently considered as a negative prognostic factor for a good hearing outcome of cochlear implantation (CI), even if a growing literature suggests that this is not completely true. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the results of CI in patients with hearing deprivation, to compare them to results from non-deprived patients and then estimate how time of deprivation impacts on CI outcome and how a bilateral deprivation can affect the outcome compared to a unilateral deprivation.
Methods
Seventy-eight adults with severe to profound post-verbal hearing loss, with and without auditory deprivation history, received CI; audiological results obtained at 3–6–12–24 months follow up post CI were analyzed.
Results
No differences were founded between patients with unilateral deprivation and patients with no deprivation. Patients with bilateral deprivation seem to have a worse hearing outcome compared to that of those patients with unilateral deprivation or no deprivation at all. Long time deprivation (>15 years) seems to have a negative influence on the hearing outcome but results with CI remain excellent.
Conclusions
Auditory deprivation should not be considered a contraindication to CI. The duration of auditory deprivation in the implanted ear seems to be a negative prognostic factor only for ears deprived from more of 15 years.
Research articleAbstract only
-
Kerem Sami Kaya, Emrah Erkan Mazı, Semra Tiryaki Demir, Fatih Tetik, ... Suat Turgut
In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 29 November 2019
-
Abstract
Objectives
In the literature, diabetes mellitus was mentioned as one of the etiologic factors of olfactory disorder. However, association between olfactory dysfunction and complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine if there is any correlation between olfactory dysfunction and complications of diabetes mellitus.
Methods
The study population included eighty-five (85) patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (56 females and 29 males, mean age 55.4 ± 9.4 years). The routine laboratory and ophthalmoscope examinations were used in the study. The Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center odor test was performed to all patients. Patients were grouped (normal, anosmia, mild hyposmia, moderate hyposmia, severe hyposmia) in respect to olfactory function.
Result
Distribution of the patients was 34.1% male (29) and 65.9% female (56). Mean Hemoglobin A1c value was 9.0 ± 2.7. The distribution of complications was 38.8% nephropathy, 25.9% retinopathy, 24.7% microalbuminuria. In Odor Test classification, statistically significant difference was not detected in nephropathy, retinopathy and microalbuminuria ratios (p = 0.523, p = 0.057, p = 0.993).
Conclusions
This study revealed that in odor test classification, statistically significant difference was not detected between the patients with complications (nephropathy, retinopathy, and microalbuminuria) and the patients without complications.
Research articleAbstract only
-
Lei Lei, Daling Zhong, Jian Zou, Haiyang Wang, ... Fumei Wu
In Press, Journal Pre-proof, Available online 28 November 2019
-
Abstract
Materials and methods
The records of patients treated with TLM with previously untreated early stage glottic squamous cell carcinoma were reviewed.
Results
A total of 201 patients were enrolled: 191 men (95.0%) and 10 women (4.98%). The anterior commissure (AC) was involved in 94 (47.8%) patients. The 3- and 5-year overall survival rates of all patients were 94.5% and 90.9%. The local recurrence rates were 30.8% in the AC involvement (AC+) group and 16.0% in the group without AC involvement (AC–). The mortality rates were 18.1% and 3.7% in the AC+ and AC– groups. The 3- and 5-year disease-free survival rates were lower in the AC+ group (89.1%, 82.5%) than that in AC– group (99.0%, 96.5%). Local recurrence rates were 25%, 22.7%, 23.4%, and 22.1% for Tis, T1a, T1b, and T2 lesions. The mortality rates were 0.0%, 4.6%, 12.8%, and 15.3%. Three- and 5-year disease-free survival rates did not differ significantly between the tumor stage subgroups. The mortality for patients with local recurrence was 22.2%, which was higher than that for those without recurrence. The organ preservation rate was 98.5%.
Purpose
This study was to assess the rates of oncological outcomes in patients with early stage glottic squamous cell carcinoma treated with transoral laser microsurgery (TLM).
Conclusion
AC involvement was a predictor of local recurrence, and its presence was associated with a reduced survival rate and increased mortality after TLM. TLM got high survival rate and low recurrence rate. The staging and oncological outcomes did not differ between tumor stage subgroups.
Research articleAbstract only
-
Satoshi Hara, Takeshi Kusunoki, Hirotomo Honma, Yoshinobu Kidokoro, Katsuhisa Ikeda
In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 27 November 2019
-
Abstract
Purpose
The efficacies of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO), systemic steroid, prostaglandin E1, or the combination of any two modalities have been reported in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL). However, little is known about the combined efficacy of HBO, systemic steroid, and prostaglandin E1 for this disorder. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of HBO combined with systemic steroids and prostaglandin E1 as triple therapy in patients with ISSNHL.
Materials and methods
We retrospectively evaluated the records of 67 patients with ISSNHL who were treated with systemic steroid and prostaglandin E1, with (n = 38) or without (n = 29) HBO. The inclusion criteria included a diagnosis of ISSNHL within 14 days of symptom onset, age ≥15 years, treatment according to the protocol, and clinical follow-up of at least 1 month. The patients' hearing levels were evaluated 1 month after hearing loss onset. The primary outcome was hearing improvement on pure tone audiometry. We also evaluated the demographic profiles of patients.
Results
Patients treated with triple therapy showed significantly greater hearing improvement (p < 0.01) than those treated without HBO, despite some differences between the two treatment groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between pure tone audiometry improvement and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, after adjustment for confounding factors (odds ratio = 7.42; 95% and confidence interval = 2.37–23.3; p = 0.001).
Conclusion
HBO with systemic steroid and prostaglandin E1 administration conferred significant therapeutic benefits for ISSNHL. Therefore, routine use of triple therapy is recommended for patients with ISSNHL.
Research articleAbstract only
-
Michael Eggerstedt, Matthew J. Urban, Emily Chi, Ethan M. Ritz, Phillip Losavio
In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 23 November 2019
-
Abstract
Purpose
Drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) is a cost-effective, safe, and reliable tool to evaluate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients by revealing upper airway sites, patterns, and severity of obstruction. DISE provides valuable data because reliable evaluation of the OSA airway while awake has remained elusive. Few studies (with mixed results) have analyzed the correlation between pre-operation, awake airway assessments routinely performed by anesthesia and DISE results.
Methods
Preoperative anesthesia evaluation records and subsequent DISE reports were obtained for 99 adult patients undergoing DISE between 2016 and 2018. All patients carried the diagnosis of OSA, based on polysomnography. Anesthesia-collected variables were compared with DISE findings in an effort to determine if commonly-utilized physical exam findings correlated to patterns of upper airway collapse observed on sleep endoscopy.
Results
Most anesthesia preoperative evaluation variables were not found to be predictive of any identifiable patterns of collapse on DISE, including Mallampati score, ability to prognath, and overall airway assessment score. Obesity did not correlate with circumferential collapse at the velopharynx, or to multi-level collapse. Thyromental distance <6.5 cm was found to be statistically correlated to total epiglottic collapse (E = 2+). Friedman tongue position scores were found to be correlated to velopharyngeal collapse (p < 0.05).
Conclusions
Anesthesia airway assessment algorithms and physical exam findings do not correlate well with findings on sleep endoscopy. DISE remains the gold standard for evaluating levels of collapse and operative planning in the OSA population.
DiscussionAbstract only
-
Rafael Maffei Loureiro, Daniel Vaccaro Sumi, Hugo Luis de Vasconcelos Chambi Tames, Carolina Ribeiro Soares, ... Mauro Miguel Daniel
In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 23 November 2019
-
Abstract
Four-hour delayed three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (3D-FLAIR) sequence after intravenous gadolinium-based contrast agent administration is an optimal magnetic resonance imaging technique to evaluate endolymphatic hydrops in patients with known or suspected Ménière's disease. Nonenhanced endolymphatic space surrounded by enhanced perilymphatic space is evaluated in the cochlea and vestibule separately. In cochlear hydrops, the scala media is enlarged, potentially obliterating the scala vestibuli. In vestibular hydrops, the size of the saccule becomes equal to or larger than that of the utricle; as hydrops progresses, the saccule and utricle become larger and confluent until complete obliteration of the vestibule's perilymphatic space.
In patients with a unilateral clinical presentation of Ménière's disease, it is possible to depict the asymmetries of perilymph enhancement, which may be increased on the affected side and reflect a permeability alteration of the blood-perilymph barrier. In addition, endolymphatic hydrops can be observed in the asymptomatic ear of these patients with a unilateral clinical presentation, showing that Ménière's disease tends to undergo bilateral evolution over time.
Research articleAbstract only
-
Vivian Narana Ribeiro El Achkar, Andressa Duarte, Román Carlos, Jorge Esquiche León, ... Estela Kaminagakura
In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 18 November 2019
-
Abstract
Objective
To characterize inflammatory cells in Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis (RRP) and to correlate it with severity using the Derkay laryngoscopic scale.
Materials and methods
The data and biopsies from 36 patients with Juvenile (JRRP) and 56 patients with Adult (ARRP) were collected and analyzed under light microscopy. The patients were separated into groups according to the Derkay index: ≥20 for the most severe and < 20 for the less severe cases. Immunohistochemical analysis using CD3, CD4, CD8, CD15, CD20, CD68, FoxP3 and MUM-1 antibodies was performed, and the inflammatory cells were quantified. All the clinicopathological characteristics and the results of the immunohistochemical analysis were compared among the groups proposed using the Chi-Square test and correlated through the Spearman correlation test.
Results
The ARRP showed significantly higher quantities of CD3+, CD8+ and MUM1+ cells (p < .05) than the JRRP samples. The presence of CD15+ cells showed positive correlation with the Derkay index (p < .05), while the MUM-1+ cells showed an inverse correlation (p = .01).
Conclusion
There are differences between the inflammatory cells population in the juvenile and adult groups and it can be related to disease severity.
Research articleAbstract only
-
Hossein Ghazavi, Amir-Abbas Kargoshaie, Mohammad Jamshidi-koohsari
In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 12 November 2019
-
Abstract
Background
Due to high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and the possible association with Sudden Sensory-Neural Hearing Loss (SSNHL) finding the main causes and appropriate treatments are highly essential. This study aimed to investigate vitamin D levels in patients suffering SSNHL and its effect on response to treatment.
Materials and methods
This cross-sectional study was performed on two groups of case (34 SSNHL patients) and control (34 healthy subjects without risk of hearing loss). All patient information such as age, sex, audiogram illustration of hearing frequency and the level of vitamin D were recorded at baseline. Patients with SSNHL received routine treatments such as 10 days of 1 mg/kg/day steroid and the response or lack of complete response to treatment was recorded and analyzed according to the audiometry.
Results
Vitamin D level in SSNHL group with a mean of 19.28 ± 9.56 ng/ml was significantly less than the control group (25.71 ± 11.21 ng/ml; P value < 0.001). After treatment, 76.5% were completely recovered and 23.5% did not recover completely. Factors such as age, sex and level of initial hearing loss did not have a significant effect on the response to treatment, but the level of vitamin D in these patients had a significant relationship with the response to treatment (P value = 0.004); so that all patients with sufficient vitamin D level had completely recovered, versus 87.5% of patients with vitamin D deficiency and 12.5% of insufficient vitamin D had no response to treatment.
Conclusion
According to the results of the present study, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with SSNHL was more than healthy people. SSNHL patients with deficient vitamin D had the highest percentage of no response to treatment.
CorrespondenceNo access
-
-
In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 12 November 2019
-
Research articleAbstract only
-
-
In Press, Journal Pre-proof, Available online 12 November 2019
-
Abstract
Purpose
Recurrent tonsillitis in children is a common disease affecting children quality of life and extends to their families. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of combined use of oral Azithromycin (AZT) plus Echinacea compared to exclusive use of AZT in children with recurrent tonsillitis.
Material and methods
A prospective comparative study including three groups of children with recurrent tonsillitis. Group 1: (100 patients) had no prophylactic treatment. Group 2 (100 patients) received [60 mg/kg] prophylactic dose of AZT divided as (10 mg/kg/day) over 6 consecutive days every month for 6 consecutive months. Group 3 (100 patients) received AZT as in group 2 plus commercially available Echinacea in a dose of 5 ml oral suspension; 3 times daily for 10 consecutive days every month for 6 consecutive months. Number of tonsillitis attacks and severity of tonsillitis symptoms were assessed and compared in different groups.
Results
Group 2 and group 3 had significant less number of tonsillitis attacks and severity of assessed symptoms during 6 months of prophylactic treatment with significant better results in group 3 (i.e. AZT plus Echinacea) compared to group 2 (I.e. AZT alone). However; there was no significant difference in patients with any prophylaxis.
Conclusion
The combined use of Echinacea with Azithromycin produced favorable outcome than Azithromycin alone in pediatric patients with recurrent tonsillitis.
Research articleAbstract only
-
Thomas H. Fitzpatrick, Benjamin D. Lovin, Marcus J. Magister, Joshua D. Waltonen, ... Christopher A. Sullivan
In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 12 November 2019
-
Abstract
Eagle Syndrome (ES) is a rare disorder that can present with symptoms ranging from globus sensation to otalgia that is attributed to an elongated styloid process and/or calcified stylohyoid ligament. No standardized treatment algorithm exists, and although various surgical approaches have been described, data on the use of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in this population is limited. To investigate the utility of TORS in the treatment of ES, a retrospective review in 19 ES patients was carried out at a single academic, tertiary medical center between 2000 and 2017. Nineteen patients underwent twenty-one styloid resections: 6 performed via TORS and 15 via transcervical approach. Across all patients, 90% reported some degree of lasting improvement in symptoms while 55% reported significant improvement. When TORS was compared to transcervical resection, there was no difference in the subjective rate of “meaningful” (83 vs. 57%) versus rate of “non-meaningful” symptom improvement (17 vs. 43%) (p = 0.35). There was a trend towards less estimated blood loss (EBL), operative time, and post-operative length of stay (LOS) with TORS versus transcervical cases (9.2 mL vs. 30.0 mL, 98 vs. 156 min, and 0.7 vs. 1.2 days); however, these did not reach statistical significance (p = .11, 0.13, and 0.42, respectively). Three patients experienced complications associated with an open approach, as compared to none with TORS. In select patients, TORS styloidectomy is a reasonable surgical alternative to traditional transoral and transcervical techniques as it provides similar symptom improvement, and reduced length of stay, blood loss, and operative time.
Research articleAbstract only
-
-
In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 11 November 2019
-
Abstract
Purpose
Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is the mainstay for chronic inflammatory and neoplastic sinonasal process and as a result many modalities have been studied to minimize blood loss and patient morbidity and to maximize intraoperative visualization. However, often conclusions of actual blood loss are based on surgeons' estimations without ever actually assessing the accuracy of these estimations. The objective of this study was to determine the accuracy of intraoperative blood loss estimates by attending otolaryngology surgeons among patients undergoing ESS.
Materials and methods
After obtaining institutional review board approval, data were collected on six surgeons performing ESS at a military academic medical center for 21 surgical cases. Specifically, both hourly and end-of-case total “estimated” (EBL) and “calculated actual” (ABL) blood loss values were recorded and compared statistically. Surgeons were blinded to the results until after all data were collected.
Results
The difference between mean EBL and ABL was 62.5 ml and was statistically significant (p = .007, Power 86.2%). EBL lagged ABL for both hourly intervals during a surgical case and the total end-of-surgery values.
Conclusion
The surgeons studied had EBL that were statistically significantly less than ABL both at hourly intervals during the surgery and at the conclusion of the case. As a result there exists potential for adverse consequences in clinical care and in efforts in medical research/advancement.
Research articleAbstract only
-
Shoude Zhang, Mao Jin, Guojin Zhou, Yuejiao Zhang
In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 7 November 2019
-
Abstract
Objective
This study investigated the exact composition and tried to be helpful in explaining the etiologic mechanism of cerumen impaction in the external auditory canal (EAC).
Methods
A hundred impacted cerumen samples and 15 normal cerumen samples were collected by manual removal and divided into 2 groups. All samples were examined via microbial culture, hematoxylin–eosin staining, periodic acid–Schiff staining, and fungal fluorescent staining.
Results
Eighty-eight patients in group 1 were in the habit of using cotton buds. Forty-seven impacted cerumen samples tested positive for microbes, while only 1 sample of normal cerumen tested positive for microbes (p < .05). The most commonly isolated bacterium and fungus was Staphylococcus aureus and Aspergillus terreus respectively. All cerumen samples were composed of exfoliated keratinocytes and microorganisms assessed via pathologic examination. However, unlike normal cerumen, impacted cerumen contained nucleated keratinocytes and infiltrated neutrophils. Recurrent impaction was found only among patients who tested mold culture-positive.
Conclusion
Impacted cerumen is composed of abnormal exfoliated keratinocytes that was correlated with microbial-induced neutrophil-mediated inflammation. Mold infection is highly correlated with recurrent cerumen impaction. Microbial culture of removed impacted cerumen is strongly recommended. Ear cleaning with cotton buds, particularly when the EAC is wet might be one of the important causes of cerumen impaction which is need further studied.
Research articleAbstract only
-
Danny Jandali, Sarah Shearer, Richard Byrne, Peter Papagiannopoulos, ... Pete S. Batra
In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 29 October 2019
-
Abstract
Introduction
Multiple options exist for sellar reconstruction after endoscopic transnasal, transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) including free mucosa, fat, bone and synthetic materials. The objective of this study was to assess healing and mucosalization of the sellar face following TSS without formal sellar grafting or reconstruction.
Methods
Single institution retrospective chart review was conducted for patients undergoing TSS without intraoperative CSF leaks between January 2014 and March 2017 at Rush University Medical Center. No formal sellar reconstruction was performed for the entire patient group. Follow-up endoscopic data and clinical notes were coded for time to mucosalization of the sella as well as degree of abnormal mucosal healing, epistaxis, crusting and scarring.
Results
83 patients were included in this study. Mean time to mucosalization was 119 days (range, 17 to 402 days). Incidence of abnormal mucosal healing, epistaxis, crusting and scarring increased from the first to the second postoperative visit but trended down by the third visit. Nasal crusting was the most common finding, followed by abnormal mucosal healing. Chi square analysis showed smoking to be associated with prolonged time to full mucosalization of the sella. Two patients (2.4%) had post-operative CSF leaks requiring lumbar drain placement.
Conclusion
Adequate sellar healing is achievable in all cases without formal grafting or reconstruction after TSS. Great care must be exercised given the small inherent risk of unmasking a subclinical intraoperative CSF leak. Patients should be followed closely endoscopically during the first four months after TSS to minimize the impact of crusting.
Research articleAbstract only
-
J. Eric Lupo, Allison Biever, David C. Kelsall
In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 11 September 2019
-
Abstract
Purpose
To comprehensively assess and describe functional auditory performance in a group of adults with bilateral, moderate sloping to profound sensorineural hearing loss who were dissatisfied users of well-fit bilateral hearing aids and presented for Cochlear implant evaluation. Participants were evaluated with bilateral hearing aids and after six months of bimodal (Cochlear implant and a contralateral hearing aid) hearing experience with a Cochlear implant and contralateral hearing aid.
Methods
Study participants were assessed using pure tone audiometry, aided speech understanding in quiet (CNC words) and in noise (AzBio sentences at +10 and +5 dB SNR) in the sound field with unilateral and bilateral hearing aids fit to target. Participants completed subjective scales of quality of life, (Health Utilities Index Mark 3), hearing disability, (Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale) and a device use satisfaction scale. Participants ≥55 years were administered the Montreal Cognitive Assessment screening tool. One-hundred enrolled individuals completed baseline evaluations.
Results
Aided bilateral mean speech understanding scores were 28% for CNC words and 31%, and 17% for AzBio sentences at a +10 dB, and +5 dB SNR, respectively. Mean scale ratings were 0.46 for overall quality of life and 3.19 for functional hearing ability. Ninety percent of participants reported dissatisfaction with overall hearing performance.
Conclusions
Evaluation results, including functional performance metrics quantifying the deleterious effects of hearing loss for overall wellbeing, underscore that bilateral hearing aids are not an effective treatment for individuals with bilateral, moderate sloping to profound sensorineural hearing loss. Individuals with this degree of hearing impairment, who demonstrate poor aided speech understanding and dissatisfaction with hearing abilities in everyday life, require timely referral to a Cochlear implant clinic for further evaluation.
Δεν υπάρχουν σχόλια:
Δημοσίευση σχολίου