Round-Window Vibroplasty: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Audiological Effectiveness With Different Round-Window Coupling Techniques.

Objective: Active middle ear implants can be directly coupled to the round-window (RW) membrane via RW Vibroplasty. The objectives of this systematic review were to summarize data on different RW coupling techniques and to investigate their effect on audiological and safety outcomes using meta-analyses.

Databases Reviewed: PubMed (MEDLINE), Cochrane Library, and Embase (DIMDI).

Functional Outcomes and Quality of Life after Cochlear Implantation in Patients with Long-Term Deafness.

Background: Hearing-related quality of life (QoL) after cochlear implantation (CI) is as important as audiological performance. We evaluated the functional results and QoL after CI in a heterogeneous patient cohort with emphasis on patients with long-term deafness (>10 years). Methods: Twenty-eight patients (n = 32 implanted ears, within n = 12 long-term deaf ears) implanted with a mid-scala electrode array were included in this retrospective mono-centric cohort study.

[Emergencies in ear, nose and throat medicine].

Emergencies in ear, nose and throat medicine in the preclinical setting are common. Due to the narrow anatomical conditions, relocation or bleeding in this area can quickly lead to an emergency situation. In this article, the most important causes of bleeding, shortness of breath and trauma are to be presented and the corresponding treatment briefly outlined.

Long-term audiological benefit with an active transcutaneous bone-conduction device: a retrospective cohort analysis.

Purpose: To evaluate long-term audiological, surgical and safety outcomes of a complex patient cohort treated with an active transcutaneous bone-conduction device (tBCD).

Methods: This retrospective, monocentric cohort analysis involves 31 adults with conductive (CHL) and mixed hearing loss (MHL). For outcome analysis, study results were divided into short-term follow-up data (< 12 months) and long-term follow-up data (> 12 months).

Comparison of Clinical Examination and Various Imaging Modalities in the Diagnosis of Head and Neck Cancer.

 Squamous cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck (HNSCC) is the most common tumor entity of malignant processes in the head and neck area. Due to the metastasizing behavior of these tumors, the staging is indispensable for the treatment planning and requires imaging techniques, which are sensitive, specific, and as far as possible cost-effective, to benefit ultimately the patient and to ensure optimal care.  The aim of the present study is to compare the clinical examination including palpation, ultrasound and computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the diagnosis of neck metastases to make the correct indication for a neck dissection.

Patient-reported long-term benefit with an active transcutaneous bone-conduction device.

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term benefits in hearing-related quality of life, patient satisfaction and wearing time of patients rehabilitated with an active transcutaneous bone-conduction device. Adverse events and audiological outcomes are reported as secondary outcomes.

Methods: This retrospective, mono-centric cohort analysis involves 16 adults with conductive or mixed hearing loss with a mean device experience of 51.

Etiology and therapy of delayed facial paralysis after middle ear surgery.

Purpose: This review focuses on the etiology, incidence and therapy of delayed paralysis of the facial nerve (DFP) after different types of middle ear surgery.

Methods: Retrospective review of studies published in English from 1970 until 2019 reporting DFP after tympanoplasty, tympanomastoid surgery, stapedotomy and stapedectomy. The search used the databases of PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane Library.

An experimental study on antitumoral effects of KI-21-3, a synthetic fragment of antimicrobial peptide LL-37, on oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the oncolytic properties of KI-21-3, a shortened fragment of LL-37, against oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in an animal model.

Materials And Methods: Twelve athymic nude mice were divided into a therapy and a control group of six animals each. In both groups, SCC-4 cells were administered extraorally into the floor of the mouth in order to create an OSCC model.

Aspirin sensitivity and chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps: a fatal combination.

Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) refers to aspirin sensitivity, chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), nasal polyposis, asthma, eosinophil inflammation in the upper and lower airways, urticaria, angioedema, and anaphylaxis following the ingestion of NSAIDs. Epidemiologic and pathophysiological links between these diseases are established. The precise pathogenesis remains less defined, even though there is some progress in the understanding of several molecular mechanisms.

Evaluation and development of a predictive model for ultrasound-guided investigation of neck metastases.

Ultrasound investigations for the correct identification of lymph node metastases depend on the experience and qualifications of the investigator; thus, model that provides better preoperative evaluation is desired. Data from 290 patients with an upcoming neck dissection were analyzed to compare the preoperative ultrasound assessment of neck metastases with the pathologically proven postoperative neck status. In total, 364 data sets with 200 malignant and 164 benign lymph nodes were explored.

Perioperative intensity-modulated brachytherapy for refractory orbital rhabdomyosarcomas in children.

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility and toxicity of perioperative intensity-modulated brachytherapy (IMBT) as well as functional outcome in children with therapy-refractory orbital rhabdomyosarcomas (RMS).

Patients And Methods: Since 1993, children with therapy-refractory orbital RMS have been treated by a multidisciplinary approach combining function-preserving, mostly R1 tumor resection and perioperative IMBT at the University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. All children with orbital RMS, who were enrolled in this multidisciplinary treatment protocol between 1993 and 2002, were prospectively assessed with respect to evaluation of side effects and functional outcome.

Association between human beta defensin expression and cholesteatoma formation.

Objective: To investigate an association between human beta defensin (hBD) expression and cholesteatoma formation.

Methods: hBD-2 mRNA expressions were assessed in healthy external acoustic meatus skin organ cultures before and after stimulation with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In addition, hBD-1 and hBD-2 protein production of stimulated and non-stimulated external acoustic meatus skin was visualized by immunohistochemistry.

Defensin and chemokine expression patterns in the palatine tonsil: a model of their local interaction.

Defensins and chemokines are an essential part of the immune response mechanisms in the head and neck mucosa. This work investigates their correlation and their expression pattern in tonsillar disease. Forty-four tonsil tissue samples were obtained from patients who underwent tonsillectomy between 1998 and 1999 for chronic tonsillitis with (n =9) and without (n =25) inflammatory infiltrates and hyperplasia of the tonsil (n =10).

Separation of beta2-transferrin by denaturing gel electrophoresis to detect cerebrospinal fluid in ear and nasal fluids.

Background: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage is a critical condition with a substantial risk of meningitis. We investigated the use of transferrin isoform analysis as a diagnostic marker for detection of CSF leakage in fluid samples.

Methods: We analyzed 241 samples from patients with CSF leakage, most commonly presenting as otorrhea or rhinorrhea, by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) with subsequent Western blotting and immunostaining for transferrin.

Impact to the head increases cochlear implant reimplantation rate in children.

Objective: To describe the outcome of cochlear implantation in children and to discuss the cause and management of cochlear reimplantation.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Methods: The medical records of 110 patients younger than 18 years of age, who underwent cochlear implantation at the Department of ORL, Head and Neck Surgery, of the University of Kiel, Germany, were reviewed for demographics, complications, and history of revision surgery.

Human beta-defensin-2 in oral cancer with opportunistic Candida infection.

Candida albicans (CA) is a frequent opportunistic pathogen in cancer patients. Usually, human surfaces are protected, apart from physical barriers, by the production of human beta-defensins (hBD). hBD-2 shows a potent antimicrobial activity against CA.