Multi-channel cochlear implant histopathology: are fewer spiral ganglion cells really related to better clinical performance?

Conclusion: Our findings show that all cochlear implanted temporal bones had a varied degree of trauma and inflammatory reaction from cochlear implantation. No definitive relationship was observed from our limited number of specimens between residual spiral ganglion cells (SGCs) in implanted temporal bones and clinical speech performance.

Objectives: We hypothesize that there is a relationship between residual SGCs in cochlear implanted temporal bones and clinical speech performance.

An unusual case of a ballpoint pen migrating into the parapharyngeal space and middle mediastinum.

Foreign bodies that penetrate the esophagus and migrate extraluminally are unusual. If they are left untreated, serious complications arise from mediastinitis, and damage to the major structures in the neck can occur. We report a case of a patient who presented with chest pain on inspiration that was found to be caused by a foreign body in the parapharyngeal space and middle mediastinum.

Congenital cholesteatoma involving the Eustachian tube.

Cholesteatomas, classified as acquired or congenital, are non-neoplastic, keratinizing squamous epithelial lesions that can affect many different areas of the temporal bone. We present a case of a six-month-old female with chronic otorrhea who was found to have a congenital cholesteatoma originating from the Eustachian tube. Chronic pressure from cholesteatoma expansion turned the Eustachian tube into a large cavity approximately double the size of the middle ear space.

Informed consent process and patient communication after complications in sinus surgery.

Sinonasal surgery has always been a potential source of complications. Most legal suits involving endoscopic sinus surgery alleged lack of informed consent. In this article, the authors discuss what informed consent means, to the physician and the patient, and how it is relevant in the case of complications.

Minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy: a retrospective study over two years of experience.

Objective: The minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy technique has slowly gained acceptance. Previous studies have reported advantages of better cosmetic results and faster postoperative recovery. We report preliminary results from our single assistant technique over the initial two years of inception at an academic training center.