Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss: A critique on corticosteroid therapy.

Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) is a condition affecting 5-30 per 100,000 individuals with the potential to significantly reduce one's quality of life. The true incidence of this condition is not known because it often goes undiagnosed and/or recovers within a few days. ISSNHL is defined as a ≥30 dB loss of hearing over 3 consecutive audiometric octaves within 3 days with no known cause.

Axonal numbers in the greater auricular nerve: is there enough to go round?

Hypothesis: Does the greater auricular nerve (GAN) have an appropriate number of myelinated axons for use as an interposition graft for the facial nerve?

Background: Previous studies have suggested that the GAN has a suitable cross-sectional and fascicular area for use as an interposition graft for the facial nerve. In this study, counts of myelinated axons in the GAN have been undertaken to assess, at a microscopic level, its suitability as such a graft.

Methods: Six GANs were examined, and the total myelinated axonal counts and axonal density per square millimeter of fascicular area were calculated.

Conservative management of acoustic neuroma.

Aim Of Study: To identify those patients with vestibular schwannoma (acoustic neuroma) in whom treatment becomes necessary.

Method: Retrospective chart review.

Result: A total of 205 patients with small tumors were followed for a mean of 40.

Promontory drilling in stapedectomy: an anatomical study.

Background: Anatomical variants such as an overhanging facial nerve or promontory can impede access to the footplate during stapedectomy. Drilling away bone from the cochlear promontory may be required. In the case of a floating or depressed footplate, it has been recommended that a "pothole" be drilled in the inferior margin of the oval window.

Recurrent Rhabdoid Meningioma: Case Report.

Most meningiomas are slow-growing tumors that do not rapidly recur after subtotal removal. After subtotal resection of a meningioma a 47-year-old woman developed a large extracranial recurrence 1 year later. The recurrence was resected successfully.

Middle temporal artery flap in mastoid surgery.

Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the anatomy of the middle temporal artery (MTA) flap and its application in mastoid surgery.

Study Design: A description of the anatomy and surgical technique.

Conclusion: The middle temporal flap is extremely useful in lining mastoid cavities, especially those in which poor healing is anticipated.

Management of cystic facial neuromas: an alternative approach.

Objective: To describe the treatment of cystic facial neuroma with drainage and marsupialization as an alternative to tumor removal and facial nerve grafting.

Study Design: Retrospective case review.

Setting: Tertiary referral hospital.

Superior semicircular canal dehiscence simulating otosclerosis.

This is a report of a patient with an air-bone gap, thought 10 years ago to be a conductive hearing loss due to otosclerosis and treated with a stapedectomy. It now transpires that the patient actually had a conductive hearing gain due to superior semicircular canal dehiscence. In retrospect for as long as he could remember the patient had experienced cochlear hypersensitivity to bone-conducted sounds so that he could hear his own heart beat and joints move, as well as a tuning fork placed at his ankle.