Novel Use of Drug-eluting Stent in Otologic Surgery to Prevent Restenosis.

Objectives: The primary objective of this case series is to assess the effectiveness of the off-label use of the PROPEL drug-eluting stent, traditionally FDA-approved for sinus surgery, in preventing restenosis following canalplasty in patients with chronic otologic conditions or congenital anomalies. The stent provides both mechanical support to maintain canal patency and localized steroid delivery to reduce inflammation and scarring.

Methods: Four patients with various otologic conditions underwent canalplasty, followed by the placement of drug-eluting stents into the external auditory canal.

Tympanoplasty in the Setting of Complex Middle Ear Pathology: A Systematic Review.

Objective: To assess the prognostic factors for anatomic and hearing success after tympanoplasty in the setting of complex middle ear pathology.

Methods: A systematic review was performed in January 2022. English-language articles describing outcome data for tympanoplasty repair variables including underlying pathology, perforation location, smoking status, graft technique, reconstruction material, anatomic success, and hearing success were extracted.

Anterior and Lateral Skull Base Spontaneous CSF Leaks: Evaluation of Comorbidities and Treatment Outcomes.

Objectives: To evaluate clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients diagnosed with anterior (ASB) or lateral skull base (LSB) spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (sCSF) leak.

Methods: Single center retrospective review of patients diagnosed with sCSF leaks of ASB or LSB between 1/1/2009 and 11/1/2019 (n = 69). Body mass index (BMI), gender, age at diagnosis, origin of CSF leak (ASB vs LSB), surgical approach, lumbar drain use, recurrence, pre-operative diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (DM), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) were collected.

The Role of the Otolaryngologist in the Evaluation and Management of Headache.

Headaches are a global health problem and are encountered by a variety of specialties, including otolaryngologists. These patients can present as a challenge, but an understanding of primary and secondary headache disorders and the accompanying broad differential diagnosis is critical. For secondary headache disorders, a differential diagnosis categorized by anatomic location can help organize the evaluation of these patients, which can then be narrowed by the history and examination findings.

Otolaryngology workforce trends by gender - When and where is the gap narrowing?

Purpose: To describe the changes in workforce gender distribution over time and characterize geographically where women are finding job opportunities within the field of otolaryngology.

Materials And Methods: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) publishes a Physician Compare National Downloadable File, which lists all active providers registered within CMS, as well as specialty, medical school graduation, and current practice location. The file of March 2021 was filtered for all providers that listed "otolaryngology" as their primary specialty.

Mythbusters! The Truth about Common Misconceptions in Cochlear Implantation.

Cochlear implantation (CI) is the preferred method of hearing rehabilitation when patients cannot perform well with traditional amplification. Unfortunately, there are still significant misconceptions around this life-changing intervention. The goal of this article is to address some of the most common myths around CI surgery.

Vision Deterioration and Hydrocephalus: Rare Presentations of Vestibular Schwannoma and Evolution of Management.

 The incidence of vestibular schwannoma is reported as 12 to 54 new cases per million per year, increasing over time. These patients usually present with unilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, or vertigo. Rarely, these patients present with symptoms of hydrocephalus or vision changes.

The economic burden of vertigo and dizziness in the United States.

Background: Vertigo and dizziness are extremely common conditions in the adult population and therefore place a significant social and economic burden on both patients and the healthcare system. However, limited information is available for the economic burden of vertigo and dizziness across various health care settings.

Objective: Estimate the economic burden of vertigo and dizziness, controlling for demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical comorbidities.

Multi-institutional Comparison of Temporal Bone Models: A Collaboration of the AAO-HNSF 3D-Printed Temporal Bone Working Group.

Objective: The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation's (AAO-HNSF's) 3D-Printed Temporal Bone Working Group was formed with the goal of sharing information and experience relating to the development of 3D-printed temporal bone models. The group conducted a multi-institutional study to directly compare several recently developed models.

Study Design: Expert opinion survey.

Cochlear Implantation in Patients With Menière's Disease: Does Disease Activity Affect the Outcome?

Objective: Menière's disease (MD) is characterized by episodes of vertigo, tinnitus, and sensorineural hearing loss. In the setting of bilateral deafness due to MD alone or contralateral pathology, cochlear implantation (CI) improves hearing. Active MD is characterized by fluctuating auditory symptoms and vertigo; whereas remittance of vertiginous symptoms and severe, permanent sensorineural hearing loss characterizes the inactive disease state.

A Multimodal Multi-institutional Solution to Remote Medical Student Education for Otolaryngology During COVID-19.

During the coronavirus 2019 pandemic, there has been a surge in production of remote learning materials for continued otolaryngology resident education. Medical students traditionally rely on elective and away subinternship experiences for exposure to the specialty. Delays and cancellation of clinical rotations have forced medical students to pursue opportunities outside of the traditional learning paradigm.

Comparison of Materials Used for 3D-Printing Temporal Bone Models to Simulate Surgical Dissection.

Objective: To identify 3D-printed temporal bone (TB) models that most accurately recreate cortical mastoidectomy for use as a training tool by comparison of different materials and fabrication methods.

Background: There are several different printers and materials available to create 3D-printed TB models for surgical planning and trainee education. Current reports using Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) plastic generated via fused deposition modeling (FDM) have validated the capacity for 3D-printed models to serve as accurate surgical simulators.

Otolaryngology Education in the Setting of COVID-19: Current and Future Implications.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to garner extensive international attention. The pandemic has resulted in significant changes in clinical practice for otolaryngologists in the United States; many changes have been implemented to mitigate risks identified by otolaryngologists in other countries. COVID-19-induced limitations include social distancing and triaging of patient acuity.

A simple assessment tool for evaluation of cadaveric temporal bone dissection.

Educational Objective: Objective metrics in skilled-based educational courses allow trainees and instructors to assess performance and monitor progress. The objective is to validate a concise, easy-to-use instrument for assessment of resident skill during a timed cadaveric temporal-bone (CTB) dissection.

Study Design: Retrospective analysis.

Cochlear implantation in chronic demyelinating inflammatory polyneuropathy.

Objective: To describe a case of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CDIP) with bilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss who subsequently benefited from unilateral cochlear implantation.

Methods: case history review and review of the literature for the terms CDIP, hearing loss, cochleovestibular dysfunction, and cochlear implantation.

Results: A 49-year-old woman presented with bilateral rapidly progressive sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) 1 month after an upper respiratory tract infection.

Content Validity of Temporal Bone Models Printed Via Inexpensive Methods and Materials.

Hypothesis: Computed tomographic (CT) scans of the 3-D printed temporal bone models will be within 15% accuracy of the CT scans of the cadaveric temporal bones.

Background: Previous studies have evaluated the face validity of 3-D-printed temporal bone models designed to train otolaryngology residents. The purpose of the study was to determine the content validity of temporal bone models printed using inexpensive printers and materials.

Bony ankylosis of hydroxyapatite prostheses in the middle ear.

Background: Ossiculoplasty is a commonly performed middle ear procedure. Ossicular chain reconstruction (OCR) prostheses should be made of a biocompatible material; one such common material is hydroxyapatite (HA).

Methods: 2 patients were identified who had HA OCR prostheses which had fused to the middle ear bony structures.

A Novel Temporal Bone Simulation Model Using 3D Printing Techniques.

Hypothesis: An inexpensive temporal bone model for use in a temporal bone dissection laboratory setting can be made using a commercially available, consumer-grade 3D printer.

Background: Several models for a simulated temporal bone have been described but use commercial-grade printers and materials to produce these models. The goal of this project was to produce a plastic simulated temporal bone on an inexpensive 3D printer that recreates the visual and haptic experience associated with drilling a human temporal bone.

Long-term results of canal wall reconstruction tympanomastoidectomy.

Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the long-term results using the technique of canal wall reconstruction (CWR) tympanomastoidectomy with mastoid obliteration in the treatment of chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma.

Study Design: Institutional review board-approved retrospective case review.

Setting: Tertiary referral center.

Long-term results of canal wall reconstruction tympanomastoidectomy.

Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the long-term results using the technique of canal wall reconstruction (CWR) tympanomastoidectomy with mastoid obliteration in the treatment of chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma.

Study Design: Institutional review board-approved retrospective case review.

Setting: Tertiary referral center.

Resident participation in cadaveric temporal bone dissection correlates with improved performance on a standardized skill assessment instrument.

Hypothesis: Increasing numbers of cadaveric temporal bone (CTB) dissection translates to improved scores on a timed microdissection of a CTB.

Background: Recent literature regarding resident education has focused on virtual learning. However, advocates for virtual temporal bone drilling admit that there is not yet a substitute for drilling a CTB.