The prevalence and clinical course of facial nerve paresis following cochlear implant surgery.

Objectives/hypothesis: To describe the prevalence, clinical course, and outcomes of facial nerve paresis following cochlear implantation and to identify variables associated with poor definitive facial nerve function.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study with systematic literature review.

Methods: All patients who underwent cochlear implantation between January 1990 and December 2010 at a single tertiary academic referral center were reviewed.

Cochlear implants in five cases of auditory neuropathy: postoperative findings and progress.

Objectives: To review our experiences with some of the preoperative and postoperative findings in five children who were diagnosed with auditory neuropathy and were provided with cochlear implants. We describe changes in auditory function, which enabled these children to have significant improvement in their hearing and communication skills.

Study Design: Pre- and postoperatively, these children received complete medical examinations at Mayo Clinic, including related consultations in audiology, pediatrics, neurology, medical genetics, otolaryngology, psychology, speech pathology, and radiology.

Open trial of methotrexate as treatment for autoimmune hearing loss.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of low-dose methotrexate (MTX) administered for the treatment of autoimmune hearing loss.

Methods: This was a prospective, 12-month, open-label study of 17 patients with refractory autoimmune hearing loss. All patients had ongoing episodic worsening of hearing in one or both ears prior to enrollment despite traditional medical therapy.

Long-term follow-up of transtympanic gentamicin for Ménière's syndrome.

Objective: Recent studies have shown that transtympanic gentamicin for Ménière's syndrome is effective. Current treatment protocols vary. One concept has been to perform a chemical ablation; the other has been to perform a chemical alteration.