Butterfly myringoplasty for total, subtotal, and annular perforations.

Objectives/hypothesis: The inlay "butterfly" cartilage tympanoplasty was first described as a treatment for small, central ear drum perforations. This technique can also be applied in large, marginal perforations, whereas the cartilage graft is anchored on the bony annulus. The aim of this study was to present the technique, to evaluate the results of butterfly tympanoplasty in marginal perforations, and to compare with the results of butterfly tympanoplasty in patients with nonmarginal perforations.

Cochlear implantation via round window or cochleostomy: Effect on hearing in an animal model.

Objectives/hypothesis: Cochlear implantation in patients with residual hearing has increased interest in hearing preservation. Two major surgical approaches to implantation have been devised: via the round window membrane and through cochleostomy. However, the advantages of either approach on hearing preservation have not been established.

Hearing loss patterns after cochlear implantation via the round window in an animal model.

Purpose: The mechanism and the type of hearing loss induced by cochlear implants are mostly unknown. Therefore, this study evaluated the impact and type of hearing loss induced by each stage of cochlear implantation surgery in an animal model.

Study Design: Original basic research animal study.

Hearing Loss After Vestibular Implantation in Sand Rats With Normal Hearing.

Importance: Bilateral vestibular failure is a debilitating condition that may lead to oscillopia and adversely affect quality of life. Researchers have suggested that vestibular function might be restored with implantation of an external mechanical stimulation device. However, it is essential that such a device must not interfere with normal hearing.

Effect of cochlear window fixation on air- and bone-conduction thresholds.

Hypothesis: In the absence of patent cochlear windows, cochlear fluid inertia depends on the presence of a "third window" as a major component of the bone-conduction response.

Background: Studies have shown conflicting results regarding changes in air and bone conduction whenever, the round window, oval window, or both windows were occluded.

Method: The study was performed in a tertiary university-affiliated medical center.

Inlay "butterfly" cartilage tympanoplasty.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the outcome of inlay "butterfly" cartilage tympanoplasty.

Methods: The files of 42 patients (24 were male, 18 were female) who underwent primary or revision inlay butterfly cartilage tympanoplasty in 2005 to 2011 at a tertiary medical center were reviewed. Patients were regularly observed by otoscopy and audiometry.

Prediction of aided and unaided audiograms using sound-field auditory steady-state evoked responses.

Objective: To assess sound field auditory thresholds of hearing-impaired adults by using auditory steady-state evoked responses (ASSRs).

Design: ASSRs were recorded to carrier frequencies of 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz, each uniquely modulated at a single frequency of 80-100 Hz. ASSR thresholds were compared to behavioral auditory thresholds.

Cochlear hearing loss in patients with Laron syndrome.

The aim of this prospective clinical study was to test auditory function in patients with Laron syndrome, either untreated or treated with insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). The study group consisted of 11 patients with Laron syndrome: 5 untreated adults, 5 children and young adults treated with replacement IGF-I starting at bone age <2 years, and 1 adolescent who started replacement therapy at bone age 4.6 years.

Early tongue carcinoma: analysis of failure.

Background: Failure rate of surgery for early tongue carcinoma remains high. We sought to identify patterns of failure and recurrence risk factors.

Methods: Data review was carried out on 50 patients treated for early tongue carcinoma (T1/2N0M0); surgery was unsuccessful in 11 of these patients.

Superior canal dehiscence effect on hearing thresholds: animal model.

Objective: Superior semicircular dehiscence syndrome is associated with vestibular symptoms and an air-bone gap component in the audiogram, apparently caused by the creation of a pathological bony "third window" in the superior semicircular canal. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in auditory air- and bone-conduction thresholds to low- and high-frequency stimuli in an animal model of a bony fenestration facing the aerated mastoid cavity.

Study Design: Anatomic, audiological.

Malignant external otitis: analysis of severe cases.

Objective: To study the effect of specific clinical, laboratory, and imaging parameters on the course of severe (type 1) malignant external otitis (MEO).

Study Design: Case series with chart review.

Setting: Tertiary, university-affiliated medical center.

Fungal malignant external otitis.

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics and outcome of fungal malignant external otitis (MEO).

Methods: The files of 60 patients treated for MEO in 1990-2008 at a tertiary medical center were reviewed for clinical characteristics and outcome, and findings were compared between patients with fungal and nonfungal infection.

Results: Mean duration of follow-up was 4 years.

Animal model of cochlear third window in the scala vestibuli or scala tympani.

Hypothesis: The auditory impact of a cochlear third window differs by its location in the scala vestibuli or scala tympani.

Background: Pathologic third window has been investigated primarily in the vestibular apparatus of animals and humans. Dehiscence of the superior semicircular canal is the clinical model.

A third window of the posterior semicircular canal: an animal model.

Objectives/hypothesis: A third window in the vestibular apparatus has been investigated in both animals and humans, specifically in superior semicircular canal dehiscence. There are as yet no animal model studies of the effect of a third vestibular window of the posterior semicircular canal.

Study Design: Original basic research study.

Test-retest tinnitus characteristics in patients with noise-induced hearing loss.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to examine the test-retest value of tinnitus pitch and loudness in patients with tinnitus and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).

Materials And Methods: The study sample consisted of 30 patients of mean age 35 +/- 6.7 years with long-standing tinnitus and hearing loss due to exposure to noise during military service.

Cochlear third window in the scala vestibuli: an animal model.

Background: Pathologic third window has been investigated in both animals and humans, with a third window located in the vestibular apparatus, specifically, dehiscence of the superior semicircular canal, serving as the clinical model.

Hypothesis: The present study sought to examine the effect of a cochlear third window in the scala vestibuli on the auditory thresholds in fat sand rats that have a unique anatomy of the inner ear that allows for easy surgical access.

Methods: The experiment included 7 healthy 6-month-old fat sand rats (a total of 10 ears).

Otologic and audiologic lesions due to blast injury.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of blast injury on the otologic and hearing state over time.

Setting: Otology unit of a tertiary referral center.

Methods: Seventy-three patients aged 16 to 73 years who sustained physical trauma from an explosion underwent otologic and audiologic examination 3-4 months and one year later.

Predicting outcome of malignant external otitis.

Objective: Malignant external otitis (MEO) continues to pose a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. The lack of a diagnostic study since 1987 combined with recent findings of quinolone-resistant MEO prompted the present analysis of MEO outcome in a major tertiary medical center.

Methods: Seventy-five consecutive patients hospitalized for suspected MEO between 1990 and 2003 were divided into 2 diagnostic groups: MEO Type 1, presence of all obligatory clinical and radiologic criteria and most of the occasional criteria of Cohen and Friedman or absence of 1 obligatory criterion with failure of intensive treatment, and MEO Type 2, absence of one of the obligatory criteria with treatment response within 1 week.

Bone conduction in otosclerosis--operated versus non-operated ears.

Objective: To examine whether stapes surgery improves long-term bone conduction in patients with otosclerosis.

Setting: Tertiary university hospital.

Methods: Thirty patients (52 ears) who underwent stapedectomy between 1988 and 1994.

Characteristics and prognosis of malignant external otitis with facial paralysis.

Objective: To compare the characteristics and prognosis of patients with malignant (necrotizing) external otitis (MEO) with and without facial nerve palsy in today's era of third-generation antibiotics.

Design: Comparative retrospective case series.

Setting: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Rabin Medical Center, a tertiary care medical center.

Asymmetry in noise-induced hearing loss: relevance of acoustic reflex and left or right handedness.

Objective: Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is more severe in the left ear than the right ear. The aim of this study was to examine the possible association of handedness and acoustic reflex parameters on right or left NIHL predominance.

Study Design: Retrospective case review and prospective series.

Facial palsy associated with acute otitis media.

Objective: Facial palsy secondary to acute otitis media is rarely encountered today. The aim of the present study was to review the characteristics of the disease and propose the proper management.

Study Design: File review.

Esophageal incisions repair by CO2 laser soldering.

Purpose: This study evaluated the feasibility of fiberoptic CO2 laser soldering for the repair of esophageal injuries under tight temperature feedback control in an animal model. Healing was compared to conventional suture closure.

Materials And Methods: A CO2 soldering system equipped with infrared transmitting silver halide fibers was used.

Magnesium treatment for sudden hearing loss.

Magnesium treatment has been repeatedly shown to reduce the incidence of both temporary and permanent noise-induced hearing loss. We hypothesized that it might also improve the permanent threshold shift in patients with acute-onset hearing loss. In a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 28 patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss were treated with either steroids and oral magnesium (study group) or steroids and a placebo (control group).