The incudostapedial articulation in Down's syndrome (trisomy 21): a temporal bone study.

Hypothesis: Anomaly in the incudostapedial articulation (IS) may be responsible for persistent conductive hearing loss (HL) in Down's syndrome (DS) patients. Our goal was to perform a detailed histopathologic assessment of the role of the IS joint in the conductive HL.

Background: In addition to other disabilities, 38% to 78% of patients with Down's syndrome (Trisomy 21) have CHL, some of which are persistent despite maximum treatment.

The pathogenesis of acquired cholesteatoma of the human middle ear: support for the migration hypothesis.

Hypothesis: That acquired cholesteatoma of the human middle ear and mastoid process can be caused by migration of squamous epithelium from the tympanic membrane.

Objective: To provide histologic evidence in humans of the potential for medial epithelial migration toward the middle ear.

Background: The origin of cholesteatomas of the middle ear complex of humans is still not clearly understood.

The incudostapedial articulation: new concepts.

Hypothesis: To study the detailed anatomy of the incudostapedial joint (ISJ).

Background: Detailed study of the anatomy of the ISJ has been surprisingly neglected and continues to be controversial.

Methods: We studied the joint in 86 temporal bones from 51 subjects, aged 12 to 104 years, by light microscopy and three-dimensional images of computer-based reconstructions.

Sensorineural hearing loss in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Objective: The study aimed to discuss the association between sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods: We reviewed cases of patients with known IBD seen in an otolaryngology practice with documentation of all otologic data including age of onset, family history of otologic problems, exposure to noise, audiometric findings, and so on.

Results: Of 38 patients with a history of IBD, 22 had documented SNHL.

Asymmetric agenesis of the mastoid antrum in a neonate.

The authors report a case of asymmetric development of the mastoid antrum in a neonate. The lack of mastoid development most likely represents a congenital maldevelopment. Agenesis of the mastoid antrum has surgical implications, as failure to recognize its absence can result in disorientation during surgery, with potential to injure adjacent structures.