Kavita Dedhia

Children With Sensorineural Hearing Loss After Passing the Newborn Hearing Screen

OBJECTIVES To identify and describe the findings of children who passed their newborn hearing screen (NHS) and were subsequently found to have childhood hearing loss. SETTING Academic tertiary care center. DESIGN Retrospective medical chart review. METHODS With approval of the institutional review board, hospital records were reviewed for children diagnosed as having hearing loss. We identified 923 children with hearing loss from 2001 to 2011. Patients who passed the NHS with subsequent hearing loss were included. RESULTS Seventy-eight patients were included in our study. The suspicion of hearing loss in patients who passed the NHS was most often from parental concerns (n = 28 [36%]) and failed school hearing screens (n = 25 [32%]). Speech and language delay and failed primary care physician screens accounted for 17% and 12%, respectively. Configuration of the audiogram was bilateral symmetric (n = 42 [54%]), bilateral asymmetric (n = 16 [21%]), and unilateral (n = 20 [26%]) loss. Thirty-seven patients (47%) had severe or profound hearing loss. The etiology was unknown in 42 patients (54%); the remaining was attributed to genetics (n = 13 [17%]), anatomic abnormality (n = 11 [14%]), acquired perinatal (n = 9 [12%]), and auditory neuropathy (n = 3 [4%]). CONCLUSIONS This is the largest study to characterize children with hearing loss who passed the NHS. In our review, parental concerns and school hearing screens were the most common method to diagnose hearing loss after passing the NHS. Families and primary care physicians may have a false sense of security when patients pass the NHS and overlook symptoms of hearing loss. This study raises the question whether further screens would identify hearing loss in children after passing the NHS.

Anatomic variants on computed tomography in congenital aural atresia.

Objective To report the prevalence of anatomic variants on computed tomography (CT) in congenital aural atresia (CAA) and external auditory canal stenosis (EACS). Anatomic variants included inferiorly displaced/obstructing tegmen mastoideum, malleus-incus complex (MIC) directly lateral to stapes, facial nerve obstruction of oval window (OW) or middle ear, and incudostapedial joint (ISJ) angle. Study Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Tertiary care children’s hospital. Subjects and Methods An anatomic analysis of 130 CT scans (98 children, 32 bilateral) of CAA/EACS, performed by a blinded neuroradiologist. Both Jahrsdoerfer’s and new/modified anatomic considerations were graded in 32 atresiaplasty and 66 nonsurgical patients. Surgical data were analyzed for anatomic correlations related to surgical findings. Results Prevalence of anatomic variants was as follows: 13% of the ears had mild inferior displacement of tegmen, 4% had a significantly obstructing tegmen, and 24% had MIC directly lateral to stapes. The facial nerve obstructed access to OW in 41% and middle ear in 21%. Six atresiaplasty patients were reported to have a large MIC obstructing stapes access with increased intraoperative difficulty in viewing and assessing the integrity and mobility of the ISJ and stapes. Five of these 6 (83%) were noted on CT scan. The mean ISJ angle was 101° (range, 51°-155°). Conclusion A large obstructing MIC increases difficulty of atresiaplasty. Awareness of the presence of these anatomic variants is an aid in teaching temporal bone anatomy and may possibly influence the decision regarding atresiaplasty.

Congenital Nasal Pyriform Aperture Stenosis Is There a Role for Nasal Dilation

IMPORTANCE Congenital nasal pyriform aperture stenosis (CNPAS) may require sublabial drill-out of the pyriform aperture when symptoms are severe or refractory to medical therapy. Less invasive nasal dilation decreases potential morbidity to neonates with severe CNPAS. OBJECTIVE To determine the outcome of patients with CNPAS who underwent nasal dilation alone without other surgical therapy. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A retrospective case series at a tertiary pediatric hospital involving neonates with CNPAS. INTERVENTIONS Nasal dilation using Hegar cervical dilators in neonates with severe CNPAS. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Avoidance of sublabial pyriform aperture drill-out and length of stay in the hospital after treatment. RESULTS Four patients (median age, 15 days) had respiratory distress and feeding difficulties. Nasal stenosis was suspected, and maxillofacial computed tomography scans revealed a mean pyriform aperture width of 4.5 mm. Medical therapy was initiated, but symptoms persisted. Direct laryngoscopy, rigid bronchoscopy, and nasal endoscopy with nasal dilation to at least 4 mm were performed in 4 patients without postoperative stenting. Mean length of stay after treatment was 4 days. Two patients underwent repeat nasal dilation on postoperative days 18 and 23. All 4 patients remained free of nasal disease in a median follow-up of 4.5 months. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Four patients with severe CNPAS were successfully treated with nasal dilation without pyriform aperture bone removal or nasal stenting. This series, while small, suggests that nasal dilation may be a therapeutic option for severe CNPAS that decreases the risks of open surgery and subsequent stent use.

Diagnosis and Management of Cervical Thymic Cysts in Children.

We present the case of a 10-year-old boy with the sudden onset of a large, painless left neck mass. Findings on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy suggest a cystic lesion, most likely of thymic origin. Cervical thymic cysts are a rare form of cervical mass, which are easily overlooked in the differential diagnosis of children presenting with painless neck masses. A combination of CT and MRI investigations can be helpful in differentiating thymic cysts from other congenital and neoplastic masses, but the definitive diagnosis of thymic cyst requires histopathological documentation of thymic tissue. Surgical excision is considered the management of choice for thymic cysts, and no cases of postoperative recurrence have been reported.

External auditory canal: Inferior, posterior-inferior, and anterior canal wall overhangs

OBJECTIVES To characterize anatomic variants of the external ear canal (EAC), specifically canal wall overhangs. EAC overhangs are problematic since they obstruct the view of the tympanic membrane (TM) and middle ear, possibly creating diagnostic and surgical difficulties. METHODS We reviewed pre-operative temporal bone CTs from children with cholesteatoma, and no history of EAC erosion or surgery. We measured the anterior canal wall overhang (ACOH), inferior (ICOH), and posterior-inferior (PICOH). A smaller angle means more EAC overhang. Angles >180° counted as 180° since they are non-obstructing. Analysis was performed between angular measurements and clinical and demographic data. RESULTS 86 patients (88 ears total) were studied. Mean age was 8.3 years. Only obstructing angles were analyzed statistically (<180°). The ICOH was most severe and occurred in 72/88 (81.8%) ears with a mean of 145.9 ± 12.8SD° (range 102-171°). ACOH occurred in 60/88 (68.2%) ears with a mean of 148.3 ± 10.9SD° (range 120-169°). PICOH occurred in 59/88 (67%) ears with a mean of 150.4 ± 9.2SD° (range 124-169°). Overall, ICOH was significantly more severe than PICOH (P = 0.026). ICOH had more Severe (142-102°) overhangs (27/88, 30.7%) than ACOH (17/88, 19.3%) or PICOH (11/88, 12.5%), but these were not significantly different. Analysis of clinical data showed that as the ICOH overhang became more severe, there was a history of significantly more (p = 0.039, r = -0.209) tympanostomy tubes placed. CONCLUSIONS The greatest prevalence and severity of EAC overhang was the ICOH with a mean angle of 145.9°, compared with 148.3° and 150.4° for the ACOH and PICOH, respectively. This anatomic study demonstrates that ICOH and PICOH are prevalent anatomic variants and may possibly cause similar difficulties in otoscopic diagnosis and surgical TM and middle ear exposure as the well-known ACOH.

Management of refractory tympanostomy tube otorrhea with ear wicks

Laryngoscope, 125:751–753, 2015

Abstract 121: Evaluation of Otology Outcomes After Surgical Treatment of Symptomatic Pierre Robin Sequence: A Cohort Comparison Study Between Furlow Palatoplasty vs. Radical Intravelar Veloplasty.

morbidity or SSO in breast cancer patients undergoing mastectomy with or without immediate reconstruction. This results suggest that NRT is not a contraindication to immediate breast reconstruction, and provide a strong basis for future prospective studies to assess long-term morbidity and survival associated with NRT. 121 evaluation of otology outcomes after Surgical treatment of Symptomatic Pierre robin Sequence: a cohort comparison Study Between Furlow Palatoplasty vs. radical intravelar Veloplasty

Management of Refractory Tympanostomy Tube Otorrhea with Ear Wicks

Objectives: Report our experience with ear wicks for the treatment of chronic tympanostomy tube otorrhea, failing to improve with oral and/or topical antibiotics. Methods: Retrospective review of 7 children with tympanostomy tubes and recurrent otorrhea failing medical management in 2012 at a tertiary care center. We describe the outcomes of patients after wick placement and Ciprodex ear drops. Results: The average age of patients in this study is 30 months (21-48months). The average age of tympanostomy tube insertion was 17 months (8-32 months). All patients had Armstrong grommet tubes placed. Three patients found effusions during time of insertion. All children failed previous topical and/or oral antibiotic treatment. An ear wick was placed during the clinic visit, and ciprodex drops were continued. Wicks were removed in approximately one week. Culture results showed 4 patients had Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and 3 had Pseudomonas aeruginosa. After wick placement, 7/7 (100%) patients’ otorrhea resolved. One patient had recurrent otorrhea at further follow-up visit. Conclusions: Tympanostomy tube placement is one of the most common surgical procedures in children. Refractory otorrhea continues to be a complication that has a negative effect on patient quality of life and remains a challenge to treat. It can be difficult to adequately deliver topical therapy to young children. Placement of an ear wick improves topical delivery to the ear and may eradicate otorrhea in patients who failed prior topical and oral antibiotics.

Anatomic Variants on Congenital Computed Tomography in Congential Aural Atresia

Objective: Report incidence of anatomic variants in temporal bone CT scans with congenital aural atresia (CAA) or external auditory canal stenosis (EACS). Anatomic variants include: inferiorly displaced tegmen, malleus/incus complex (MIC) directly lateral to stapes, facial nerve obstruction at oval window (OW) and middle ear, middle ear area, incudostapedial (IS) joint angle. Method: Prospective anatomic study of 134 CT scans (102 children, 32 bilateral) of CAA/EACS, graded by a blinded neuroradiologist. Both Jahrsdoerfer and absence or presence of new/refined anatomic considerations were graded. There were 32 atresiaplasty and 70 nonsurgical patients. Surgical and audiological data were reviewed retrospectively for anatomic correlations related to outcomes. Results: Prevalence of anatomical variants: inferiorly displaced tegmen X (X%), MIC directly lateral to stapes Y (Y%), facial nerve obstructed access to oval window Z (Z%), and middle ear B (B%). Large MIC obstructing stapes access (5/7 patients) with increased intra-operative difficulty. Mean middle ear area DD (range, 0.07 to 0.86mm2) and mean IS joint angle FF (range, 50°-147°). Trend toward improved outcomes with: normal tegmen, facial nerve favorable to OW, or non-obstructing MIC. No statistically significant clinical correlations for anatomic factors including Jahrsdoerfer grading. Conclusion: Large obstructing MIC increases the difficulty of atresiaplasty. There is a trend showing improved outcomes with normal tegmen, facial nerve favorable to oval window, or nonobstructing MIC. A larger atresiaplasty cohort is needed since the number of cases was insufficient to demonstrate statistical significance. Nonetheless, the frequency of these new/refined anatomic variants has been more clearly delineated. The presence of these anatomic variants may possibly influence the decision for or against atresiaplasty.