Otology-Neurotology 2020 US Workforce Distribution.

Objective: Determine the geographic and per capita distribution of otology-neurotology physician-surgeons within the United States.

Study Design: National database review.

Setting: United States.

Use of Positive Airway Pressure Following Middle Ear Surgery: A Practice Survey of Otologists.

Background: Positive airway pressure (PAP) devices are used as treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). PAP may increase middle ear pressure which is of interest to otologic surgeons. There is a lack of data to guide management of PAP therapy after middle ear surgery.

Treatment of glomus jugulare tumors with gamma knife radiosurgery.

Objective: Surgical resection, preoperative embolization, radiation therapy, and stereotactic radiosurgery have been used to treat glomus jugulare tumors (GJT). However, the optimal treatment of these tumors remains unclear. The authors report their data on treatment of GJTs with gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS).

Gene transfer in human vestibular epithelia and the prospects for inner ear gene therapy.

Transfer of exogenous genetic material into the mammalian inner ear using viral vectors has been characterized over the last decade. A number of different viral vectors have been shown to transfect the varying cell types of the nonprimate mammalian inner ear. Several routes of delivery have been identified for introduction of vectors into the inner ear while minimizing injury to existing structures and at the same time ensuring widespread distribution of the agent throughout the cochlea and the rest of the inner ear.

Image-guided localization of the internal auditory canal via the middle cranial fossa approach.

Objective: We sought to determine the accuracy of an electromagnetic image guidance surgical navigation system in localizing the midpoint of the internal auditory canal (IAC) and other structures of the temporal bone through the middle cranial fossa approach.

Materials And Methods: Seven fresh cadaveric whole heads were dissected via a middle cranial fossa approach. High-resolution CT scans were used with an InstaTrak 3500 Plus electromagnetic image guidance system (General Electric, Fairfield, CT).

Diagnosis and management of salivary fistula after surgery for congenital aural atresia.

Objective: Salivary fistula is an uncommon and unreported yet meaningful complication associated with the repair of congenital aural atresia. The capsule of the parotid gland may be violated during two steps of the operation: the initial dissection around the glenoid fossa or while aligning the auricle with the bony canal at the end of the procedure. We present the first described series of patients with salivary fistula after repair of congenital aural atresia.

Cochlear implantation in patients with auditory neuropathy of varied etiologies.

Objectives/hypothesis: Auditory neuropathy is a relatively recently described pattern of hearing loss characterized by preservation of outer hair cell function despite absent brainstem auditory evoked responses. Intact outer hair cell function is demonstrated by the presence of otoacoustic emissions and/or a measurable cochlear microphonic on electrocochleography, whereas no synchronous neural activity (absent action potentials) is seen on acoustically evoked brainstem auditory evoked response testing. The study reviews the authors' experience with six patients diagnosed with auditory neuropathy, four of whom have undergone cochlear implantation.

Otogenic sigmoid sinus thrombosis: what is the role of anticoagulation?

Objectives: The treatment of otogenic sigmoid sinus thrombosis with surgery and antibiotics is well established. However, the role of anticoagulation remains unstudied. The study reviews the signs, symptoms, radiological evaluation, surgical treatment, and medical management of patients with otogenic sigmoid sinus thrombosis treated with or without anticoagulation.

Pitfalls in the endoscopic drainage of subperiosteal orbital abscesses secondary to sinusitis.

Objective: To review the safety and efficacy of endoscopic drainage of subperiosteal orbital abscesses (SPOAs) secondary to sinusitis and to evaluate risk factors that may be associated with failure.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Methods: All patients admitted to the University of the Virginia Health System with a diagnosis of SPOA between 1992 and 1999 were reviewed.