Jacob B. Hunter

Pediatric Endoscopic Cholesteatoma Surgery

Objectives (1) To describe and review a single center’s pediatric endoscopic cholesteatoma experience, including surgical and audiologic outcomes. (2) To assess the most common locations of residual cholesteatoma following endoscopic removal. Study Design Case series with chart review. Setting Tertiary otologic referral center. Subjects Patients <19 years of age who underwent cholesteatoma removal with either endoscopic or microscopic visualization. Methods In a comparison of patients who underwent total endoscopic ear surgery (TEES), combined endoscopic-microscopic surgery, or microscopic surgery, analyzed outcomes included locations and incidence of recurrent and residual cholesteatoma, complications, and audiometric testing. Results Sixty-six patients (mean age, 10.9 years; range, 4-18 years; 43.4% female) with 76 ears met inclusion criteria. The average overall follow-up was 18.8 months (range, 6.7-48.3). Forty-seven (61.8%) ears underwent microscopic removal of cholesteatoma; 29 (38.1%) ears underwent combined endoscopic-microscopic removal; and 8 (10.5%) ears underwent TEES removal. Significantly more mastoidectomies were completed in microscopic cases as compared with endoscopic cases (P = .049). Though second-look procedures occurred in 15 (51.7%) endoscopic cases and 10 (21.3%) microscopic cases (P = .006), the rate of residual disease was 20.0% and 40.0% in endoscopic and microscopic cases, respectively (P = .38). When controlling for preoperative hearing, only the air-bone gap for TEES demonstrated significant improvement (P = .009). No complications were noted. Conclusion The present report describes our experience with pediatric endoscopic cholesteatoma surgery, demonstrating similar hearing outcomes, rates of recurrence and residual disease, and complication rates as compared with traditional microscopic techniques.

Durability of Hearing Preservation after Cochlear Implantation with Conventional-Length Electrodes and Scala Tympani Insertion

Objectives To analyze factors that influence hearing preservation over time in cochlear implant recipients with conventional-length electrode arrays located entirely within the scala tympani. Study Design Case series with planned chart review. Setting Single tertiary academic referral center. Subjects and Methods A retrospective review was performed to analyze a subgroup of cochlear implant recipients with residual acoustic hearing. Patients were included in the study only if their electrode arrays remained fully in the scala tympani after insertion and serviceable acoustic hearing (≤80 dB at 250 Hz) was preserved. Electrode array location was verified through a validated radiographic assessment tool. Patients with <6 months of audiologic follow-up were excluded. The main outcome measure was change in acoustic hearing thresholds from implant activation to the last available follow-up. Results A total of 16 cases met inclusion criteria (median age, 70.6 years; range, 29.4-82.2; 50% female). The average follow-up was 18.0 months (median, 16.1; range, 6.2-36.4). Patients with a lateral wall electrode array were more likely to have stable acoustic thresholds over time (P < .05). Positive correlations were seen between continued hearing loss following activation and larger initial postoperative acoustic threshold shifts, though statistical significance was not achieved. Age, sex, and noise exposure had no significant influence on continued hearing preservation over time. Conclusions To control for hearing loss associated with interscalar excursion during cochlear implantation, the present study evaluated patients only with conventional electrode arrays located entirely within the scala tympani. In this group, the style of electrode array may influence residual hearing preservation over time.

The ototronix MAXUM middle ear implant for severe high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss: Preliminary results.

To report the preliminary results of the Ototronix MAXUM middle ear implant for treatment of severe high‐frequency sensorineural hearing loss.

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Surgical Complications following Cochlear Implantation in Canal Wall Down Mastoid Cavities:

Objective We sought to assess the complication rates following cochlear implantation in canal wall down mastoid cavities in adults and children. Data Sources A systematic review of English articles from PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. Additional studies were identified by reviewing the reference lists of the originally identified studies. Review Methods Studies were included that reported on surgical outcomes following cochlear implantation in canal wall down mastoid cavities. Two authors, using predefined data fields, independently reviewed all articles while tabulating study quality indicators. A meta-analysis of proportions was conducted on select cohorts to determine weighted complication rates. Results Forty-two articles were included that accounted for 424 patients and described surgical outcomes following cochlear implantation in canal wall down mastoid cavities. In a comparison of the postoperative complication rates, overclosing the external auditory meatus had significantly fewer global complications than did maintaining a canal wall down mastoid cavity (P = .027). In a comparison of the complication rates (1) between staging the cochlear implantation and performing external auditory meatus overclosure simultaneously with cochlear implantation and (2) between pediatric and adult cochlear implantation recipients with external auditory meatus overclosure, there were no significant differences (P = .085 and P = .92, respectively). Conclusion Overclosing the external auditory meatus at the same time of cochlear implantation leads to significantly fewer complications when compared with maintaining a canal wall down mastoid cavity with soft tissue coverage of the electrode array.

Cochlear Implantation in Canal Wall Down Mastoid Cavities

Cochlear implantation in canal wall down mastoid (CWD) cavities is fraught with the issue of how best to manage the mastoid cavity. Decision points include whether the external auditory meatus should be overclosed, whether the implantation should be staged, or even if the eustachian tube should be plugged. Given these options, we sought to describe our experience of cochlear implantation in CWD cavities. Among evaluation of subjects ≥18 years of age, 9 had cochlear implants placed in CWD mastoid cavities, 7 of which had the external auditory meatus overclosed, while 2 maintained open cavities following implantation. With an average follow-up of 36.7 months (median, 22.8 months), 2 subjects who had overclosure developed meatal dehiscences requiring further intervention, while no complications were observed in the 2 patients who maintained open cavities.

Multiple cranial neuropathies following etanercept administration

There have been recent reports of sarcoid-like granulomatosis development following the administration of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors. To date, only four cases of neurosarcoidosis have been reported in association with TNF inhibitors, two of which were attributed to etanercept. We present the first case of etanercept-induced neurosarcoidosis involving multiple cranial neuropathies, including the trigeminal, facial, and vestibulocochlear nerves, while also highlighting the differential diagnoses of multiple cranial neuropathies and the association of TNF inhibitors and neurosarcoidosis.

Intratemporal Intraneural Perineurioma of the Facial Nerve

Copyright

Cholesterol Granuloma Development following Temporal Bone Surgery

Objective To describe the clinical presentation and management of patients with cholesterol granulomas (CGs) that develop following temporal bone surgery. Study Design Case series with chart review. Setting Two independent tertiary academic referral centers. Subjects and Methods A multicenter retrospective review was performed to identify all patients between 2001 and 2014 who were diagnosed with a CG that developed following temporal bone surgery. Patients with a history of idiopathic petrous apex CGs were excluded, as were those with <6 months of follow-up after diagnosis. Demographic and clinical data were recorded at presentation, and the main outcome measure was symptom evolution over time. Results A total of 20 patients met inclusion criteria (median age, 55.0 years; 70.0% female), and their cases were analyzed. Diagnosis was made, on average, 149.5 months (median, 94.5; range, 13.0-480.0) following a temporal bone operation, which was for chronic ear disease in 75.0% of cases. The most common presenting symptoms were otalgia (55.0%) and otorrhea (40.0%). In patients initially managed with observation, 71.4% required no surgical intervention through a mean of 56.8 months (median, 30; range, 12.0-178.0) of follow-up. For those who initially underwent surgical excision, durable symptom relief was achieved in 66.7% of cases. Conclusion Postoperative CG formation in the temporal bone is a rare occurrence that can be encountered years following surgery. The present study suggests that conservative management can be appropriate for many cases in which patients are relatively asymptomatic.

Temporal Bone Mucormycosis.

Case Details: We present a case of temporal bone mucormycosis in a 71-year-old female with diabetes mellitus who presented to the emergency department with facial nerve paresis, otorrhea, and contralateral hemiparesis. After undergoing a tympanomastoidectomy, the patient’s pathology exhibited fungal hyphae consistent with mucormycosis. Discussion: To our knowledge, there have been 9 reported cases of temporal bone mucormycosis, 3 of which presented with facial nerve paresis, all with some subsequent improvement. In this case, facial paralysis persisted at the time of last follow-up (2 months) despite surgery and intravenous antifungals. We also review and summarize the temporal bone mucormycosis literature. Conclusion: Temporal bone mucormycosis is a rare and morbid infectious disease, though its outcomes appear to be different for patients who present with isolated temporal bone disease as compared to those individuals who develop temporal bone mucormycosis secondary to a rhinologic source.

Review of Lateral Skull Base Surgery: The House Clinic AtlasFriedmanRick A.SlatteryWilliam H.IIIBrackmannDerald E.FayadJose N.SchwartzMarc S., eds. Lateral Skull Base Surgery: The House Clinic Atlas. New York, NY: Thieme; 2012. Hard cover, illustrated, indexed, 224 pages,

Lateral Skull Base Surgery: The House Clinic Atlas encompasses 17 chapters with 192 illustrations and 8 accompanying videos. With a short foreword by Dr William House recalling the development of otologic microsurgery, the book is divided into chapters describing in detail the surgical technique of various lateral skull base approaches. These approaches include the orbitozygomatic, subtemporal, middle cranial fossa, infracochlear/infralabyrinthine, retrosigmoid, translabyrinthine, transcochlear, combined petrosal, far lateral, preauricular infratemporal, and Fisch infratemporal fossa. Other chapters discuss cranial nerve decompression, temporal bone resection, auditory brainstem implants, complications of neurotologic surgery, and the finer points of posterior fossa surgery. Although all chapters describe the surgical techniques in a step-by-step manner, many chapters also discuss their limitations and technical pearls. Though the illustrations are in black-and-white, they efficiently and effectively emphasize the text highlights. The accompanying 8 narrated color videos demonstrate different surgical approaches, with segments spliced to summarize the key aspects. As compared to the more comprehensive and universally utilized otologic and neurotologic textbooks, this book provides a more detailed overview of the frequently used lateral skull base approaches such as the translabyrinthine, middle fossa, and suboccipital/retrosigmoid. Furthermore, the authors discuss approaches that are only briefly mentioned in the more commonly used otologic and neurotologic compendiums. This book is useful for neurosurgeons, neurotologists, neurotology fellows, and neurosurgical residents, as well as practicing otolaryngologists and senior otolaryngology residents who have an interest in reviewing lateral skull base procedures. 522971 AORXXX10.1177/0003489414522971Annals of Otology, Rhinology, & LaryngologyBook Review research-article2014