Otology & Neurotology

The Women in Neurotology (WIN)—A Cross-sectional Survey No abstract available

Hearing Protection, Restoration, and Regeneration: An Overview of Emerging Therapeutics for Inner Ear and Central Hearing Disorders Objective: To provide an overview of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies active in the field of inner ear and central hearing disorders and their therapeutic approaches. Methods: Scientific and grey literature was searched using broad search terms to identify companies and their hearing-related therapeutic approaches. For each approach its lead indication, product, therapeutic modality, target, mechanism of action and current phase of clinical development was collated. Results: A total of 43 biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies have been identified that are developing therapeutics for inner ear and central hearing disorders. Their therapeutics include drug-, cell- and gene-based approaches to prevent hearing loss or its progression, restore hearing, and regenerate the inner ear. Their therapeutic targets and specific mechanisms of action are wide-ranging, reflecting the complexity of the hearing pathways and the diversity of mechanisms underlying inner ear disorders. While none of the novel products under investigation have yet made it to the clinical market, and a large proportion are still at preclinical phase, many therapeutics have already entered clinical testing with more expected to do so in the next few years. Conclusion: A wide range of novel therapeutics targeting different hearing, balance and tinnitus pathways, and patient populations are approaching the clinical domain. It is important that clinicians involved in the care of patients with hearing loss prepare for what may become a radically different approach to the management of hearing disorders, and develop a true understanding of the new therapies' mechanisms of action, applications, and indications.

A Randomized Cross-over Trial Comparing a Pressure-free, Adhesive to a Conventional Bone Conduction Hearing Device Objectives: The main aim of this study was to compare the average daily wearing time of a conventional bone conduction device with a pressure-free, adhesive bone conduction device. Further, audiologic and quality-of-life outcome parameters were evaluated. Methods: An academic, prospective, randomized cross-over trial was performed at a single center. Thirteen subjects between 12 and 63 years with conductive hearing loss were included. Average daily wearing time and subjective observations were assessed in a diary. Sound field audiometry, Freiburg monosyllables word test, and Oldenburg sentence test in quiet and in noise were carried out after 2 weeks of habituation to each device. AQoL-8D and SSQ-12 questionnaires were completed at baseline and after a 2-week test interval. Results: Median wearing time of the devices was 8.1 hours (5.8–10.2 interquartile range) for the adhesive and 4.3 hours (2.7–7.1) for the conventional bone conduction device, the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.033). There were no statistically significant differences in sound field audiometry, Freiburg monosyllables word test, and Oldenburg sentence test when comparing the two devices. AQoL-8D and SSQ-12 showed a significant improvement with the devices in comparison with baseline, with no significant difference between devices in the total scores. Ten subjects reported pain using the conventional device, two subjects reported skin irritations using the adhesive device. Conclusion: For patients with mixed or conductive hearing loss, the adhesive device is a valuable alternative with a significantly longer daily wearing time.

Optimal Retention Force of Audio Processor Magnets Hypothesis: Audio processor magnets used in transcutaneous active hearing implants vary in retention force. We hypothesized that a range of optimal magnetic retention forces could be derived, based on objective in-situ measurements of individual retention forces. Background: The magnetic force required to retain the proper placement of transcutaneous active hearing implants varies among patients. Currently, audiologists rely on personal experience in deciding which magnet to use. Insufficient force causes frequent loss of the single-unit processors or external coils of behind-the-ear devices, and excessive force causes pain and skin irritations. Methods: We experimentally determined magnetic retention force as a function of the distance between two magnets for different processor-implant magnet combinations. In addition, we studied individual in situ retention forces in 100 patients with hearing devices. Skin status was evaluated by a physician and assessed by patient self-reporting and a questionnaire. Results: Force–distance functions showed that different magnet strengths had differential effects only at distances less than 6 mm. Examiner and patient skin status assessments and comfort scores showed that optimal retention force range was 0.23 to 0.4 N. Conclusion: We found that the currently available magnet types restrict the range of feasible skin flap thicknesses to a maximum of 6 mm. Further we conclude that retention forces between 0.23 and 0.4 N could provide the appropriate trade-off between the risk of losing device fixation and of causing skin irritations. We recommend measuring the retention force in all patients.

Tinnitus Severity Change Following Stapedotomy in Patients With Otosclerosis Objective: To determine whether stapedotomy was effective in reducing tinnitus severity. In addition, the relationship between reduction in tinnitus and improvement in hearing after stapedotomy was analyzed. Study Design: Prospective clinical study. Setting: Tertiary referral center. Patients: A group of 168 otosclerosis patients diagnosed with chronic tinnitus. Intervention: Stapedotomy. Main Outcome Measures: The Tinnitus Functional Index questionnaire (TFI) was used to assess tinnitus severity before surgery, and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Pure-tone audiometry was conducted before surgery and 6 months postoperatively. Results: The TFI Total score before the operation was M = 34.5 (standard deviation [SD] = 1.6) points, and decreased 3 months after stapedotomy to M = 17.5 (SD = 1.7), a statistically significant change (T = –8.200; p < 0.001). A weak correlation was found between the pre- and postoperative difference of TFI Total score and air-conduction thresholds (r = 0.21; p = 0.013) as well as between the TFI Total score and the size of the air-bone gap (r = 0.21; p = 0.013). Preoperatively, 86 patients tinnitus was a not or small problem, and for 82 it was moderate to very big. After stapedotomy, 93 (55%) of patients experienced a significant reduction in tinnitus severity. Of the whole group, 62 patients (37%) reported complete disappearance of their tinnitus. No change in tinnitus severity was reported by 63 patients (38%), and an increase was observed by 12 patients (7%). Conclusion: Stapedotomy not only improves hearing but also reduces tinnitus severity. The current results extend knowledge of postoperative results in terms of tinnitus severity, and might benefit patients undergoing tinnitus counseling. It might also be useful to otolaryngologists when making decisions regarding qualification criteria.

Efficacy and Safety of AM-111 in the Treatment of Acute Unilateral Sudden Deafness—A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Phase 3 Study Objective: To confirm the efficacy and safety of AM-111 (brimapitide), a cell-penetrating c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) inhibitor, in patients suffering from severe to profound acute unilateral idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL). Study design: Prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled phase 3 study with follow-up visits on Days 3, 7, 28, and 91. Setting: Fifty-one European and Asian sites (tertiary referral centers, private ENT practices). Patients: Two hundred fifty-six patients aged 18 to 65 years presenting within 72 hours following ISSNHL onset with mean hearing loss ≥ 40 dB and mean threshold ≥ 60 dB at the 3 worst affected contiguous test frequencies. Interventions: Single-dose intratympanic injection of AM-111 (0.4 or 0.8 mg/ml) or placebo; oral prednisolone as reserve therapy if hearing improvement < 10 dB at Day 7. Main outcome measures: Hearing improvement to Day 28 was the primary efficacy endpoint; complete hearing recovery, frequency of reserve therapy used, complete tinnitus remission, improvement in word recognition were secondary endpoints. Safety was evaluated by the frequency of clinically relevant hearing deterioration and adverse events. Results: While the primary efficacy endpoint was not met in the overall study population, post-hoc analysis showed a clinically relevant and nominally significant treatment effect for AM-111 0.4 mg/ml in patients with profound ISSNHL. The study drug and the administration procedure were well tolerated. Conclusions: AM-111 provides effective otoprotection in case of profound ISSNHL. Activation of the JNK stress kinase, AM-111's pharmacologic target, seems to set in only following pronounced acute cochlear injury associated with large hearing threshold shifts.

Systematic Review of Hearing Loss Genes in the African American Population Objective: Literature review of the genetic etiology of hearing loss (HL) in the African American (AA) population. Data Sources: PubMed, EBSCO, and CINAHL were accessed from 1966 to 2018. Review Methods: PRISMA guidelines were followed. Search terms included permutations of "hearing loss," "African American," "black," and "genetic"; "African American" was then cross-referenced against documented HL genes. AA subjects included in multiethnic cohorts of genetic HL testing were identified by searching the key terms "hearing loss" and "ethnic cohort" and "genetic." The Q-Genie tool was used in the quality assessment of included studies. An allele frequency meta-analysis of pathogenic GJB2 variants in the AA population was performed and stratified by hearing status. Results: Four hundred seventeen articles were reviewed, and 26 met our inclusion criteria. Ten studies were included in the GJB2 meta-analysis. In the general AA population, pathogenic GJB2 variants are rare, including the 35delG allele, which displayed a carrier frequency of 0.05%. Pathogenic variants were discovered in seven nonsyndromic HL genes (GJB2, MYO3A, TECTA, STRC, OTOF, MYH14, TMC1), eight syndromic HL genes, and one mitochondrial HL gene. Recent comprehensive genetic testing using custom genetic HL testing platforms has yielded only a 26% molecular diagnosis rate for HL etiologies in the AA population. Conclusions: Investigators should be encouraged to provide an ethnic breakdown of results. Sparse literature and poor diagnosis rates indicate that genes involved in HL in the AA population have yet to be identified. Future explorative investigations using next-generation sequencing technologies, such as whole-exome sequencing, into the AA population are warranted.

Characteristics of Mid-Frequency Sensorineural Hearing Loss Progression Objectives: To characterize the progression of mid-frequency sensorineural hearing loss (MFSNHL) over time. Methods: A retrospective chart review spanning 2012 to 2017 was performed at a tertiary care audiology and neurotology center. Our cohort included 37 patients met the criteria for MFSNHL also known as "cookie bite hearing loss." It was defined as having a 1, 2, and 4 kHz average pure tone audiometry greater than 10 dB in intensity compared with the average threshold at 500 Hz and 8 kHz. Results: Average age at initial presentation was 11.8 years (range, 8 mo to 70 yr). Across all individuals, the average mid-frequency threshold was 47 dB, compared with 27 dB at 500 Hz and 8 kHz. Twenty-three patients (62%) had multiple audiograms with 4-year median follow up time. Average values across all frequencies (0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 kHz) in the initial audiogram was 37 dB, compared with an average of 39 dB demonstrated on final audiogram. Of those with serial audiograms, only five patients demonstrated threshold changes of 10 dB or more. Of these five patients, only one was found to have clinical worsening of MFSNHL. Conclusions: MFSNHL is an uncommon audiometric finding with unspecified long-term outcomes. We demonstrated that most patients (96%) with MFSNHL do not experience clinical worsening of their hearing threshold over almost 4 years of follow up. Future prospective studies aimed at collecting longer-term data are warranted to further elucidate the long-term trajectory of MFSNHL patients.

Association of Speech Processor Technology and Speech Recognition Outcomes in Adult Cochlear Implant Users Objective: Determine association of advancements in speech processor technology with improvements in speech recognition outcomes. Study Design: Retrospective cohort. Setting: Tertiary referral center. Patients: Adult unilateral cochlear implant (CI) recipients. Intervention: Increasing novelty of speech processor defined by year of market availability. Main Outcome Measures: Consonant-Nucleus-Consonant (CNC) and Hearing in Noise Test (HINT) in quiet. Results: From 1991 to 2016, 1,111 CNC scores and 1,121 HINT scores were collected from 351 patients who had complete data. Mean post-implantation CNC score was 53.8% and increased with more recent era of implantation (p < 0.001, analysis of variance [ANOVA]). Median HINT score was 87.0% and did not significantly vary with implantation era (p = 0.06, ANOVA). Multivariable generalized linear models were fitted to estimate the effect of speech processor novelty on CNC and HINT scores, each accounting for clustering of scores within patients and characteristics known to influence speech recognition outcomes. Each 5-year increment in speech processor novelty was independently associated with an increase in CNC score by 2.85% (95% confidence limits [CL] 0.26, 5.44%) and was not associated with change in HINT scores (p = 0.30). Conclusion: Newer speech processors are associated with improved CNC scores independent of the year of device implantation and expanding candidacy criteria. The lack of association with HINT scores can be attributed to a ceiling effect, suggesting that HINT in quiet may not be an informative test of speech recognition in the modern CI recipient. The implications of these findings with respect to appropriate interval of speech processor upgrades are discussed.

The Effect of Cochlear Coverage on Auditory and Speech Performance in Cochlear Implant Patients Objective: To determine the effect of cochlear coverage on audiological and speech parameters in patients with cochlear implants. Previous work has investigated the effect of tailoring electrode size to a cochlear implant recipient's individual cochlear duct length (CDL). However, no clear relationship has been found between speech development and the extent of electrode insertion, and the benefits of apical stimulation are not yet clear. Methodology: In this retrospective study, we assessed the effect of cochlear coverage on audiological and speech performance. Participants were prelingually deaf children who received cochlear implants between June 2013 and December 2014 under the care of a single cochlear implant surgeon. Cochlear coverage was estimated for each ear according to electrode type, depth of insertion, and the number of active electrodes. Electrode type and length were determined by the individual's CDL, measured by computed tomography (CT), and full insertion was documented intraoperatively. The number of active electrodes was recorded using intraoperative audiological response telemetry. Audiological assessments were obtained 6 months and 1 year postoperatively. Results of the categories of auditory performance-II and speech intelligibility rating scales were obtained after 3 years. Patients were divided into two groups based on their cochlear coverage and their audiological and speech outcomes were compared. Results: Of the 97 children recruited, 47 were girls. Temporal bone CT scans showed the right and left mean CDLs among girls were 27.7 and 27.9 mm, respectively, and 29.2 mm for both ears in boys. For each sex, the right and left CDLs did not differ significantly (p = 0.07). Twenty patients were lost to follow-up, leaving 77 patients (120 ears), which were divided into groups according to cochlear coverage (complete vs. incomplete). Significant between-group differences were not found in assessments of audiology, categories of auditory performances, or speech intelligibility ratings after 3 years. Conclusion: Audiological parameters do not differ according to the degree of cochlear coverage, specifically for low-frequency tones. Speech parameters are also comparable. Therefore, complete cochlear coverage does not appear to provide significant benefit over incomplete coverage for prelingually deaf cochlear implant recipients.

Non-microscopic Middle Ear Cholesteatoma Surgery: A Case Report of a Novel Head-Up Approach Objective: To assess the feasibility of a postauricular transcortical mastoidectomy utilizing an exoscope, which offers 3D stereoscopic visualization. Study Design: Clinical capsule report. Patients: Two consecutive patients with cholesteatoma involvement in the mastoid cavity were included in the study. Intervention: After transcanal endoscopic surgery, postauricular mastoidectomy utilizing a surgical 3D exoscope was performed. Then, the cholesteatoma in the mastoid cavity was removed through the mastoidectomy opening with endoscopes. Results: The postauricular transcortical mastoidectomy utilizing a 3D exoscope was not only feasible, but importantly, the exoscope took little time to switch to and resulted in a smooth workflow. There was no cholesteatoma recurrence at 9 months. Conclusion: During endoscope-based surgery, in patients with cholesteatoma mastoid involvement, we can continue to perform the surgical procedure in a heads-up position utilizing a surgical 3D exoscope. The combination of transcanal endoscopic ear surgery and the postauricular transcortical mastoidectomy utilizing a surgical 3D exoscope is a very novel treatment strategy for cholesteatoma, and it gives us a comfortable and consistent working environment in endoscope-based ear surgery. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives License 4.0 (CCBY-NC-ND), where it is permissible to download and share the work provided it is properly cited. The work cannot be changed in any way or used commercially without permission from the journal. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0 Address correspondence and reprint requests to Ryosei Minoda, Middle Ear and Inner Ear Surgical Center, Japan Community Health Care Organization Kumamoto General Hospital, 10-10 Torimachi Yatsushiro, Kumamoto 866-8660, Japan; e-mail: ryminoda@gmail.com The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. No financial support was received for this work. Supplemental digital content is available in the text. Supplemental digital content is available for this article. Direct URL citations appear in the printed text and are provided in the HTML and PDF versions of this article on the journal's Website (http://journals.lww.com/otology-neurotology). Copyright © 2019 by Otology & Neurotology, Inc. Image copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health/Anatomical Chart Company

Temporal Bone Histopathology of First-Generation Cochlear Implant Electrode Translocation Objective: To evaluate the histopathology of human temporal bones (HTBs) with cochlear implants (CI). Background: Understanding CI translocation injuries is critical for improving outcomes. Material and Methods: Thirteen HTBs from 12 CI patients were studied. Six HTBs exhibited translocation with localized injury (Group 1) and seven HTBs exhibited translocation with significant lateral wall injury (Group 2). There were no significant differences between Group 1 and Group 2 for age at death, age at implantation, and years with CI. Results: Four out of six of Group 1 had round window approach, while all seven of Group 2 had cochleostomy approach. Translocation injuries tended to occur near 180 degrees of angular insertion with a mean of 186.36 ± 51.62 degrees. Average CI insertion length for Group 2 was 21.86 ± 2.55 mm, significantly longer than Group 1 at 18.50 ± 3.33 mm (p = 0.031). Group 1 had an average of 17300 ± 9415 spiral ganglia neurons (SGNs) while Group 2 had significantly fewer SGNs 6714 ± 4269 (p = 0.015). Group 1 average auditory performance of 66.55 ± 27.20% was higher than that of Group 2 of 39.86 ± 15.36%. Group 2 had a high degree of osteoneogenesis and infiltration of cells generally localized to areas of translocation injury and cochleostomy. Conclusion: Translocation injuries tend to occur at an insertion angle of 180 degrees, at 9 to 10 mm. Lateral wall injury and damage to the organ of Corti incites fibrosis, osteoneogenesis, and infiltration, lower SGN count and poorer auditory performance. Longer electrodes were more prone to translocation and higher chance of significant intracochlear injury. Address correspondence and reprint requests to Akira Ishiyama, M.D., Rm 32-28, Rehabilitation Center, 1000 Veteran Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90095; E-mail: ishiyama@ucla.edu IRB# 10-001449 UCLA Supported by NIDCD/NIH: 1U24DC015910-01. NIDCD National Temporal Bone Laboratory at UCLA. Department of Head and Neck Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles. Presented at the American Otologic Society Meeting at the Combined Otolaryngology (COSM) in Washington D.C. on April 21st, 2018. The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose. Copyright © 2019 by Otology & Neurotology, Inc. Image copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health/Anatomical Chart Company

First Experience With a New Thin Lateral Wall Electrode in Human Temporal Bones Introduction: A modern cochlear implant electrode array design must combine: improved surgical ease of use, structure preservation, particularly important for pediatric application, stable position within the cochlea over time, and a meaningful balance between hearing preservation against addressing sufficient cochlear tissue to support electrical-only hearing. The aim of this study was to investigate a new lateral wall electrode array design from Advanced Bionics on human temporal bones (TBs). Methods: Ten fresh-frozen TBs were implanted with the SlimJ electrode array via the round window. The electrode array is 23 mm long, with a cross-section varying from 0.25 × 0.55 mm at the most apical contact to 0.6 × 0.8 mm at the proximal marker contact. To assess location of the electrode array, the TBs were postoperatively scanned using cone beam computed tomography, and histology was performed to assess intracochlear trauma (Grades 0–4). Results: All electrode arrays were considered easy to insert. The average insertion depth was 432 degrees measured from the round window with a range from 411 to 450 degrees azimuth. Nine out of 10 electrode arrays were inserted fully (<0.5 mm out of the cochlea), one electrode array was left 1.5 mm out of the cochlea. No translocations were observed in all 10 cochleae, slight touching of the basilar membrane at the distal portion of the array was observed in 50% of the cases. Conclusion: The results from the new thin lateral wall electrode array from Advanced Bionics provided consistent scala tympani locations. No translocations were observed and almost all electrode arrays were fully inserted. These results are promising and the new electrode array will be further studied in clinical practice investigating hearing preservation capabilities and speech performance. Address correspondence and reprint requests to Ersin Avci, Ph.D., Advanced Bionics GmbH, 30625 Hannover, Germany; E-mail: ersin.avci@advancedbionics.com E.A. and D.G. are employees of Advanced Bionics GmbH. The authors disclose no conflicts of interest. Copyright © 2019 by Otology & Neurotology, Inc. Image copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health/Anatomical Chart Company

Prognostic Factors of Long-Term Hearing Preservation in Small and Medium-Sized Vestibular Schwannomas After Microsurgery Objective: The authors evaluated the long-term hearing outcomes of patients with vestibular schwannoma (VS) to explore appropriate surgical treatment. Study Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Tertiary referral center. Patients: A total of 138 patients diagnosed with small and medium-sized VS with serviceable hearing from January 2006 to December 2015. Interventions: All patients underwent microsurgery via retrosigmoid (RSA) or middle cranial fossa approach (MFA) and were followed up for over 2 years. Main Outcome Measures: Pre- and postoperative hearing, including pure tone audiometry, speech discrimination score, and auditory brainstem response (ABR), were analyzed. Results: The mean tumor size and volume were 16.6 ± 3.4 mm and 1711.8 ± 918.5 mm3, respectively. Preoperative hearing levels were Class A in 42, Class B in 67, and Class C in 29 patients. Patients with a tumor from the superior vestibular nerve (SVN) had better hearing at diagnosis. Postoperative hearing levels were Class A, B, C, and D for 28, 17, 32, and 61 patients. Hearing outcomes were significantly better in patients with normal intraoperative I wave on ABR. Hearing loss within 6 months had a positive effect on postoperative hearing. Better preoperative hearing and tumors from SVN were correlated with better postoperative hearing outcomes. Tumor size, cystic variation, or extension to the fundus of internal auditory canal had no influence on hearing preservation. Conclusions: Better preoperative hearing, shorter hearing loss period, tumors from SVN, and normal intraoperative I wave are prognostic factors for serviceable hearing. RSA and MFA are effective and safe for tumor removal and hearing preservation. Address correspondence and reprint requests to Zhihua Zhang, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Zhizaoju Road #639, Shanghai 200011, China; E-mail: zhihuazhang0504@126.com; Hao Wu, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Zhizaoju Road #639, Shanghai 200011, China; E-mail: wuhao622@sina.cn The authors declare that the manuscript has not been published previously or is under consideration for publication elsewhere. Its publication is approved by all authors, and if accepted, it will not be published elsewhere in similar form, in any language, without the consent of Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Each person listed as an author has participated in the study to a significant extent. Funding: This work was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number 81470681, 81570906, and 81870712]. The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest. Copyright © 2019 by Otology & Neurotology, Inc. Image copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health/Anatomical Chart Company

Association of Intracranial Hypertension With Calvarial and Skull Base Thinning Objective: Determine if patients with increased opening pressure (OP) on lumbar puncture (LP) have thinner calvaria and skull bases. Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Tertiary referral center. Patients: Patients (≥18 yr of age) who had a recorded OP on LP and high-resolution computed tomography imaging of the head. Patient age, sex, body mass index were calculated. Intracranial hypertension (IH) was defined with an OP≥25 cm-H2O and low intracranial pressure with an OP<15 cm-H2O. Intervention: Measurement of calvarial, zygoma, and skull base thickness when blinded to OP with three-dimensional slicer and radiologic calipers. Main Outcome Measures: Association of calvarial, skull base, and zygoma thickness with OP and age. Results: Fifty-eight patients were included with a mean (SD) age of 53.1 (16.2) years and average (SD) body mass index of 30.1 (9.1) kg/m2. Patients with IH had thinner mean (SD) calvaria (3.01 [0.81] versus 2.70 [0.58] mm; p = 0.036) and skull bases (5.17 [1.22] versus 4.60 [1.42] mm; p = 0.043) when compared with patients without IH. The mean (SD) extracranial zygoma thickness was similar between the two groups (5.09 [0.76] versus 5.00 [0.73] mm; p = 0.56). General linear model regression demonstrated advancing age was associated with increasing calvarial thickness in patients without IH and calvarial thinning in patients with IH (p = 0.038). Conclusion: IH is independently associated with intracranial bone (calvaria and skull base) thinning and not extracranial (zygoma) thinning. Skull thinning occurs with IH and advancing age. These findings support a possible role of increased ICP in the pathophysiologic development of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leaks. Address correspondence and reprint requests to Rick F. Nelson, M.D., Ph.D., Indiana University School of Medicine, 355 West 16th Street Suite 3200, Indianapolis, IN 46202; E-mail: ricnelso@iupui.edu The authors disclose no conflicts of interest. Copyright © 2019 by Otology & Neurotology, Inc. Image copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health/Anatomical Chart Company

Mastoid Cavity Myiasis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature Objective: We report a case study of mastoid cavity aural myiasis in an urban developed setting and review the relevant literature. Data Source: Retrospective case report and review of the English literature via PubMed. Data Selection: English-language articles concerning aural myiasis and mastoid cavity myiasis were included. Data Extraction: Two previous case reports of mastoid cavity myiasis were identified and analyzed. Conclusion: Neglected mastoid cavity care, low socioeconomic status, poor personal hygiene, homelessness, and chronic suppurative otitis media are likely contributing factors to this uncommon presentation occurring in an urban setting. Address correspondence and reprint requests to Jacob Kahane, M.D., Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, 1701 West Charleston Blvd., Ste. 490, Las Vegas, NV 89102; E-mail: jacob.kahane@unlv.edu The authors disclose no conflicts of interest. Copyright © 2019 by Otology & Neurotology, Inc. Image copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health/Anatomical Chart Company

Different Materials for Plugging a Dehiscent Superior Semicircular Canal: A Comparative Histologic Study Using a Gerbil Model Hypothesis: The choice of the material for plugging a dehiscence of the superior semicircular canal is based on the ease of use and the success of the procedure to permanently relieve symptoms without adverse side effects. Background: Dehiscence of the superior semicircular canal can lead to autophony, conductive hearing loss, and vertigo. Surgical treatment by plugging the canal is a highly effective treatment of the symptoms in many patients, although, the procedure can be associated with some degree of hearing loss in more than or equal to 25% of the patients. The available data indicate that adverse effects may be more frequently observed with bone wax as compared with other materials. Methods: In the present study we compare the tissue reactions induced by plugging the superior semicircular canal with autologous bone pate/bone chips, muscle, fat, artificial bone wax, and teflon in the gerbil model in an attempt to identify the material leading to successful plugging with the least adverse tissue reactions. Results: Our data show that successful plugging was achieved in 100% of the ears by bone pate/bone chips, teflon, and bone wax while the success rate was significantly lower (<50%) following muscle and fat. The proportion of adverse tissue reactions was significantly more pronounced using bone wax as compared with teflon and bone pate/bone chips. Conclusion: The use of teflon or autologous bone as a material for plugging a dehiscent superior semicircular canal should be favored over bone wax, muscle, and fat. Address correspondence and reprint requests to Pingling Kwok, M.D., ENT-Department, University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; E-mail: pingling.kwok@ukr.de The work was performed at the ENT-Hospital of the University of Regensburg without receiving any financial support from any third party. The authors disclose no conflicts of interest. Copyright © 2019 by Otology & Neurotology, Inc. Image copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health/Anatomical Chart Company

Electrical Impedance as a Biomarker for Inner Ear Pathology Following Lateral Wall and Peri-modiolar Cochlear Implantation Objectives/Hypothesis: Spikes in cochlear implant impedance are associated with inner ear pathology after implantation. Here, we correlate these spikes with episodes of hearing loss and/or vertigo, with a comparison between lateral wall and peri-modiolar electrode arrays. Methods: Seven hundred seventy recipients of Cochlear's slim-straight, lateral wall electrode (CI422), or peri-modiolar (CI512) electrode were investigated for impedance spikes. Impedance fluctuations were defined as a median rise of ≥ 4 kΩ across all intracochlear electrodes from baseline measurements taken 2 weeks after switch-on. Medical records were analyzed from 189 of the 770 patients. Results: The slim straight, lateral wall electrode was found to spike in impedance at a significantly higher rate than the peri-modiolar array (17% vs 12%). The peri-modiolar electrode tended to spike in impedance earlier than the slim-straight electrode. Impedance spikes were found to significantly correlate with medical events (hearing loss, vertigo, or tinnitus). Overall, in the "spike" group, 42 of 75 patients (56%) demonstrated a clinical event during the impedance spike, whereas 26 of 114 patients (22%) of the "non-spike" group had a clinical event. This significant difference existed with both implant types. Conclusion: These results demonstrate a small, but significant increase in impedance spikes in lateral wall electrodes, and support the relationship between spikes in cochlear implant impedances and postoperative inner-ear events, including the loss of residual hearing and vertigo. Monitoring cochlear implant impedance may be a method for early detection, and so the prevention, of these events in the future. Address correspondence and reprint requests to Stephen J. O'Leary, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Surgery-Otolaryngology, University of Melbourne, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, 32 Gisborne Street, East Melbourne 3002, Australia. E-mail: sjoleary@unimelb.edu.au Dr C.S. and Dr C.B. are considered to have made equal contributions to this research. S.J.O. is funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (Australia). This research was conducted at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital and funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (Australia). The authors disclose no conflicts of interest. Copyright © 2019 by Otology & Neurotology, Inc. Image copyright © 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health/Anatomical Chart Company

Subtotal Petrosectomy for Cochlear Implant Surgery. Response To Letter To The Editor No abstract available

Sacculus-Utriculus Confluence Criterion (SUCC) No abstract available

Alexandros Sfakianakis
Anapafseos 5 . Agios Nikolaos
Crete.Greece.72100
2841026182

6948891480

alsfakia@gmail.com