Caution in Transnasal Balloon Dilation of the Eustachian Tube: Middle Ear Penetration of Catheter Tip in a Cadaveric Model.

Objective: To investigate the degree to which transnasal eustachian tube (ET) dilation balloon catheters are able to be passed through the ET in a cadaver model.

Patients And Interventions: A cadaveric study of 8 cadaver heads (16 ears), which underwent transnasal ET insertion with a 3 × 20-mm balloon catheter with transtympanic endoscopic visualization and grading.

Results: Catheter tip incursion into the protympanum or mesotympanum occurred in all ears.

Giant Cholesteatoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Objective: To present a case of giant cholesteatoma and review of the contemporary literature.

Patients: A 61-year-old male presented with foul-smelling discharge from his right ear in the setting of a previous canal wall down mastoidectomy. Otomicroscopy demonstrated a mastoid cavity filled with infected keratinous debris.

Impact of Cochlear Implantation on Canal and Otolith Function.

Objective: To quantify the impact of cochlear implantation (CI) on all five vestibular end-organs and on subjective ratings of post-CI dizziness.

Methods: Seventy-two patients undergoing unilateral CI were recruited for the study. All participants completed pre- and post-CI three-dimensional video head-impulse tests (3D vHITs) to assess semicircular-canal (SC) function, air- and bone-conducted (AC and BC) cervical and ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMPs and oVEMPs) to assess otolith-function and the dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) to measure self-perceived disability.

International Survey of Operative Practices for Otologists and Neurotologists During the COVID-19 Crisis.

Objective: To investigate the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on operative practices of otology and neurotology providers internationally.

Study Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Methods: A 78-question survey was distributed to otologists and neurotologists between May 12, 2020 and June 8, 2020 to assess the impact of the pandemic on surgical practices.

Endoscopic Stapedotomy: A Systematic Review.

Objectives: Stapes surgery has evolved from its origins in 1956. Microscopic assisted stapedotomy remains the most common technique but the introduction of endoscopic ear surgery has led to some units using this new approach. The endoscope delivers a wide angled, contextual view of the stapes, and associated pathology.

Endoscopic Management of Early Stage Middle Ear Paragangliomas - An Australian Case Series.

Objective: To analyze the outcomes of the endoscopic transcanal approach for removal of early stage middle ear paraganglioma tumors (MEPT).

Study Design: Cases series with chart review.

Setting: Two tertiary Australian Otology centers.

Balloon dilation eustachian tuboplasty for dilatory dysfunction: Safety and efficacy analysis in an Australian cohort.

Background: Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) is a common clinical condition encountered by otolaryngologists. The severity and duration of symptoms range from the mild and transient to the chronic and severe along with secondary pathologies. Balloon dilation eustachian tuboplasty (BDET) as a treatment, was first described in 2010 and has been studied extensively.

Novel Radiologic Approaches for Cholesteatoma Detection: Implications for Endoscopic Ear Surgery.

Technological advancement in computed tomography (CT) and MRI has improved cholesteatoma detection rates considerably in the past decade. Accurately predicting disease location and extension is essential for staging, planning, and preoperative counseling, in particular in the newer approach of endoscopic ear surgery. Improved sensitivity and specificity of these radiological methods may allow the surgeon to confidently monitor patients, therefore avoiding unnecessary surgery.

Endoscopic Stapedectomy: Collective Experience From a Large Australian Center.

Introduction: Endoscopic stapes surgery is a technically demanding procedure that is increasing in popularity. Surgical outcomes and complication rates have been demonstrated to be comparable to traditional microscopic techniques. The surgical outcomes for patients undergoing stapes surgery performed by the Sydney Endoscopic Ear Surgery Research Group are presented.

The Endoscopic Relationship of the Stapedius Muscle to the Facial Nerve: Implications for Retrotympanic Surgery.

Objectives: The stapedius muscle, tendon, and pyramidal eminence are structures within the retrotympanum. In cholesteatoma surgery, the retrotympanum is a common site of residual disease. The removal of the pyramidal eminence during surgery is sometimes necessary to obtain better visualization of the superior retrotympanum during surgery.

High Altitude Alternobaric Facial Palsy: Case Series and Systematic Review of the Literature.

Background: Alternobaric facial palsy (AFP) is a rare phenomenon which occurs in patients with Eustachian tube dysfunction, a dehiscent facial canal, and subsequent compression induced ischemic neuropraxia of the facial nerve upon exposure to atmospheric pressure changes. There are few documented cases of AFP and most relate to underwater diving. There is limited understanding in the literature of AFP in the setting of high altitude, leading to a potential for misdiagnosis and inappropriate management.

Accessibility of Primary, Specialist, and Allied Health Services for Aboriginal People Living in Rural and Remote Communities: Protocol for a Mixed-Methods Study.

Background: Primary, specialist, and allied health services can assist in providing equitable access in rural and remote areas, where higher proportions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (Aboriginal Australians) reside, to overcome the high rates of chronic diseases experienced by this population group. Little is currently known about the location and frequency of services and the extent to which providers believe delivery is occurring in a sustained and coordinated manner.

Objective: The objective of this study will be to determine the availability, accessibility, and level of coordination of a range of community-based health care services to Aboriginal people and identify potential barriers in accessing health care services from the perspectives of the health service providers.

Titanium incus interposition ossiculoplasty: audiological outcomes and extrusion rates.

This study aimed to evaluate the benefit but also the extrusions, dislocations, and failures of a titanium incus prosthesis along with the long-term audiological outcomes. We prospectively collected data from 139 patients undergoing ossiculoplasty using the Fisch titanium incus prosthesis between 2001 and 2016. Overall, 126 patients with at least 6 months of follow-up (mean 4.

Treatment Effectiveness for Symptoms of Patulous Eustachian Tube: A Systematic Review.

Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of currently available medical and surgical interventions for treating symptoms of Patulous Eustachian Tube (PET).

Data Sources: A comprehensive search of MEDLINE (January 1948 to July 8, 2015), EMBASE (January 1974 to July 8, 2015), gray literature, hand searches, and cross-reference checking.

Study Selection: Original published reports evaluating an intervention to treat the symptoms of patulous eustachian tube in patients 18 years and older.

Radiological prevalence of superior and posterior semicircular canal dehiscence in children.

Objective: Establishing the prevalence of semicircular canal dehiscence in a pediatric population using temporal bone CT imaging.

Study Design: Retrospective analysis of all temporal bone CT scans during a 5-year period (2007-2012).

Methods: CT scan images were reformatted in the plane of the canals and assessed by two independent reviewers with a third to resolve disagreement.

Fibrous dysplasia of the temporal bone: systematic review of management and hearing outcomes.

Objectives: The management options for otologic symptoms (i.e., hearing loss, otorrhea) in patients with fibrous dysplasia of the temporal bone (FDTB) include either observation or otologic surgery.

Surgical management of benign idiopathic osteonecrosis of the external auditory canal.

Background/aims: Benign idiopathic osteonecrosis of the external ear canal remains a challenging management problem, with many patients experiencing a prolonged chronic course requiring frequent debridement. The technique of bony sequestrectomy, followed by rotation of a vascularized fascial flap and then a free full-thickness skin graft is presented.

Methods: Success with this technique is described in a retrospective case series format in addition to a review of the existing literature on surgical techniques for the treatment of this condition.

The rhinological manifestations of women's health.

Objective: To systematically review the literature and appraise the evidence reporting the effects of women's health, including pregnancy, postpartum, menstruation, oral contraception, menopause, and hormone replacement therapy, on common rhinological pathologies and nasal physiology.

Data Sources: Systematic search strategy using MEDLINE (1966-2012) and EMBASE (1980-2012) databases.

Review Methods: Title review, abstract screening, and then full paper analysis were undertaken by 2 authors independently.

Malignant otitis externa: experience with hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Introduction: The treatment of malignant otitis externa (MOE) with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) remains controversial. The rarity of MOE, combined with poor access to hyperbaric facilities, explains the paucity of existing data.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all patients with a diagnosis of MOE referred to the Prince of Wales Hospital hyperbaric unit over a period of six years, and report one of the largest case series to date.

Residual adenoid tissue post-curettage: role of nasopharyngoscopy in adenoidectomy.

Objective: Curettage adenoidectomy is one of the most common methods of adenoidectomy. This study reports the incidence of residual adenoid tissue after curettage and grades the degree of post-nasal space obstruction using fibre-optic nasopharyngoscopy.

Methods: A retrospective study of 425 consecutive patients undergoing curette adenoidectomy in a 5-year period.