Anatomy of the Round Window Region With Relation to Selection of Entry Site Into the Scala Tympani.

Objectives/hypothesis: The aim of cochlear implantation is to safely insert an electrode array into the scala tympani (ST) while avoiding damage to surrounding structures. There is disagreement on the optimal way of entering the ST-the round window (RW) approach versus cochleostomy. Regardless of the chosen approach, it is vital to understand the regional anatomy, which is complex, difficult to conceptualize, and rarely dissected in temporal bone courses.

Is cartilage interposition required for ossiculoplasty with titanium prostheses?

Objective: To demonstrate that cartilage interposition between the head of a titanium prosthesis and the tympanic membrane is not necessary to prevent extrusion.

Study Design: Retrospective review.

Setting: District general hospital.

National UK survey on the assessment and surgical management of suspected paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome.

Background: Controversy exists amongst ENT surgeons as to the best way to manage a non-syndromal and otherwise healthy child with suspected OSAS. In 2002, The American Association of Paediatricians stated that the gold standard is a full polysomnography (PSG) for all children with suspected OSA and the revised version in 2012 repeated that requirement but recognized that facilities are not always available. In 2009 a UK Multidisciplinary Consensus Statement disagreed and reserved a full PSG for younger and syndromal or complicated children.

Common cavity and custom-made electrodes: speech perception and audiological performance of children with common cavity implanted with a custom-made MED-EL electrode.

Objective: Few studies exist on children with common cavity, fewer still on their long-term audiological development after having received a cochlear implant. Our goal was to observe and report the long-term audiological progress of children with common cavity who were implanted with a custom-made electrode.

Methods: In this longitudinal, multi-center study, 19 children were implanted with a MED-EL custom-made electrode via either single slit cochleostomy or double posterior labyrinthotomy.