Revisions after prior stapes surgery: aspects on indication, intraoperative findings and surgical strategies.

Objective: Primary stapes surgery is considered a challenging intervention in ear surgery. Despite an risk of deafness in 0.5-1 percent, this procedure has still a good benefit-risk ratio due to the improvement in hearing and quality of life that is usually achieved.

[Middle Ear Malformations].

Middle ear malformations (MEMs) represent a diverse group of congenital anomalies with significant implications for auditory function. These malformations, which occur in approximately 0.5 to 3% of conductive hearing loss cases, can arise from various genetic and environmental factors.

Long-term results and quality of life after vibrant soundbridge implantation (VSBs) in children and adults with aural atresia.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term effectiveness and acceptance of the active middle ear implant system Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB, MED-EL, Austria) in patients with aural atresia or aplasia (children and adults).

Methods: Data from 51 patients (mean age 13.9 ± 11.

Differentiating methicillin resistant and susceptible from ocular infections using photoacoustic labeling.

Introduction: Antibiotic resistance in bacterial species constitutes a growing problem in the clinical management of infections. Not only does it limit therapeutic options, but application of ineffective antibiotics allows resistant species to progress prior to prescribing more effective treatment to patients. Methicillin resistance in is a major problem in clinical infections as it is the most common hospital acquired infection.

Anatomical Variations of the Epitympanum and the Usable Space for Middle Ear Implants Analyzed With CT-assisted Imaging Using a Tablet-based Software.

Objective: To evaluate interindividual anatomical variations of the epitympanum and the usable space for implantation of active middle ear implants (AMEI) as well as the usefulness of a tablet-based software to assess individual anatomy on computed tomography (CT) scans.

Patients: CT scans of 126 patients, scheduled for cochlea implantation (50.8% men; 0.

Photoacoustic discrimination of antibiotic-resistant and sensitive Staphylococcus aureus isolates.

Objectives: Bacteremia is a serious and potentially lethal condition. Staphylococcus aureus is a leading cause of bacteremia and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) accounts for more than a third of the cases.

Stapes and Stapes Revision Surgery: Preoperative Air-Bone Gap Is a Prognostic Marker.

Objective: Stapes surgery is considered an effective treatment in otosclerosis, but controversy remains regarding predictors of surgical outcome.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Tertiary referral center.

Audiological results and subjective benefit of an active transcutaneous bone-conduction device in patients with congenital aural atresia.

Purpose: To review functional and subjective benefit after implantation of an active transcutaneous bone conduction device (BCD) in patients with congenital microtia with atresia or stenosis of the external auditory canal.

Methods: Retrospective chart analysis and questionnaire on the subjective impression of hearing ( Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ-B) of patients treated between 2012 and 2015.

Resultsresults: 18 patients (24 ears) with conductive or mixed hearing loss in unilateral (n = 10) or bilateral (n = 8) atresia were implanted with a BCD.

Evaluating the didactic value of 3D visualization in otosurgery.

Introduction: Improvements of surgical visualization add value to the quality of clinical routine and offer the opportunity to improve surgical education of medical staff. The aim of this study was to determine whether otorhinolaryngology trainees gain additional comprehension of the anatomical structures and the surgical site when 3D visualization is used.

Methods: Data were collected from ENT trainees of microsurgical courses of the middle ear, inner ear and lateral skull base at four university ENT departments (Charité (Berlin), Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (Halle/Saale), Ludwig Maximilian University (Munich) and Rostock University Medical Center).

Bacteriophage-mediated identification of bacteria using photoacoustic flow cytometry.

Infection with resistant bacteria has become an ever increasing problem in modern medical practice. Currently, broad spectrum antibiotics are prescribed until bacteria can be identified through blood cultures, a process that can take two to three days and is unable to provide quantitative information. To detect and quantify bacteria rapidly in blood samples, we designed a method using labeled bacteriophage in conjunction with photoacoustic flow cytometry (PAFC).

Extended Applications for Cochlear Implantation.

The indications for cochlear implantation (CI) have expanded over the last few years. There is evidence that some adult patients with pre- or perilingual onset of deafness may gain from implantation. Similarly, CI in patients with single-sided deafness may offer significant benefits in terms of quality of life and social as well as academic development.

Towards a Unified Testing Framework for Single-Sided Deafness Studies: A Consensus Paper.

Background: While hearing aids for a contralateral routing of signals (CROS-HA) and bone conduction devices have been the traditional treatment for single-sided deafness (SSD) and asymmetric hearing loss (AHL), in recent years, cochlear implants (CIs) have increasingly become a viable treatment choice, particularly in countries where regulatory approval and reimbursement schemes are in place. Part of the reason for this shift is that the CI is the only device capable of restoring bilateral input to the auditory system and hence of possibly reinstating binaural hearing. Although several studies have independently shown that the CI is a safe and effective treatment for SSD and AHL, clinical outcome measures in those studies and across CI centers vary greatly.

Off the ear with no loss in speech understanding: comparing the RONDO and the OPUS 2 cochlear implant audio processors.

The RONDO is a single-unit cochlear implant audio processor, which omits the need for a behind-the-ear (BTE) audio processor. The primary aim was to compare speech perception results in quiet and in noise with the RONDO and the OPUS 2, a BTE audio processor. Secondary aims were to determine subjects' self-assessed levels of sound quality and gather subjective feedback on RONDO use.

Prevalence of Headache in Cochlear Implant Patients: A Cross-sectional Study.

Introduction: In Internet forums and other social media many reports regarding chronic headaches after cochlear implantation can be found. Although quite rare, there are also some reports in the literature. However, little is known regarding the true prevalence of headaches in persons who have undergone cochlear implant surgery.

Single-Stage Ear Reconstruction and Hearing Restoration Using Polyethylene Implant and Implantable Hearing Devices.

The use of porous polyethylene in reconstructive surgery of the auricle is becoming increasingly accepted. This is a single-stage procedure providing pleasing cosmetic rehabilitation. Further advantages are the possibility of early implantation and the lack of complications caused by harvesting costal cartilage.

High-resolution computed tomography-based length assessments of the cochlea--an accuracy evaluation.

Conclusion: The length of the cochlea can be determined with good precision using a 3D-curved multiplanar reconstruction analysis technique and linear reconstruction of the cochlea. The method is not time-consuming and can be applied during clinical routine.

Objective: A preoperative prediction of the best cochlear implant electrode length can help reduce the risk of intraoperative cochlear trauma in patients who need to retain residual acoustic hearing for electric-acoustic stimulation or in patients with anatomical anomalies or malformations.

Developmental disorders of the ear in children and adolescents: conservative and surgical treatment options.

Background: Developmental disorders of the ear can impair hearing and cause cosmetic deformities. In recent years, new surgical treatments have become established, above all in audiological rehabilitation.

Method: We selectively searched the PubMed database up to May 2013 for publications in English and Germanabout the therapeutic options.

Larval exposure to predator cues alters immune function and response to a fungal pathogen in post-metamorphic wood frogs.

For the past several decades, amphibian populations have been decreasing around the globe at an unprecedented rate. Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), the fungal pathogen that causes chytridiomycosis in amphibians, is contributing to amphibian declines. Natural and anthropogenic environmental factors are hypothesized to contribute to these declines by reducing the immunocompetence of amphibian hosts, making them more susceptible to infection.

Value of routine plain x-ray position checks after cochlear implantation.

Objective: To analyze the value of a routine x-ray position check after cochlear implantation and to assess if an increased resistance during electrode insertion is a sufficient predictor of electrode misplacement.

Study Design: Retrospective data collection.

Setting: University hospital.

Interactive effects of competition and predator cues on immune responses of leopard frogs at metamorphosis.

Recent hypotheses suggest that immunosuppression, resulting from altered environmental conditions, may contribute to the increased incidence of amphibian disease around the world. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in amphibian skin are an important innate immune defense against fungal, viral and bacterial pathogens. Their release is tightly coupled with release of the stress hormone noradrenaline (norepinephrine).

Differential tensile strength and collagen composition in ascending aortic aneurysms by aortic valve phenotype.

Background: Ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm (ATAA) predisposes patients to aortic dissection and has been associated with diminished tensile strength and disruption of collagen. Ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms arising in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) develop earlier than in those with tricuspid aortic valves (TAV) and have a different risk of dissection. The purpose of this study was to compare aortic wall tensile strength between BAV and TAV ATAAs and determine whether the collagen content of the ATAA wall is associated with tensile strength and valve phenotype.

Prevalence of labyrinthine ossification in CT and MR imaging of patients with acute deafness to severe sensorineural hearing loss.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of labyrinthine ossification, and especially cochlear ossification, in a cohort of patients with unilateral sudden deafness or severe sensorineural hearing loss.

Design: Retrospective data collection.

Study Sample: Sixty-four consecutive patients with unilateral sudden deafness or severe sensorineural hearing loss and either high-resolution CT (HRCT) of the temporal bone (isotropic spatial resolution ≤ 0.

Surgical rehabilitation of paralytic lagophthalmus by platinum chain lid loading: focusing on patient benefit and health-related quality of life.

Objective: To evaluate patient benefit and health-related quality of life after lid loading with platinum chains in adult patients with facial palsy.

Study Design: Retrospective data collection.

Setting: Germany's largest university clinic for otorhinolaryngology, head and neck surgery.