Evaluating the role of single-photon emission computed tomography in the assessment of neurotologic complaints.

We conducted a retrospective study to reexamine the value of single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in the evaluation of patients with neurotologic complaints, and to assess the intra- and inter-radiologist variability of SPECT readings. Our study population was made up of 63 patients--23 men and 40 women, aged 34 to 91 years (mean: 59)--who had presented to a tertiary care otolaryngology practice and university hospital for evaluation of head trauma, sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and/or vertigo. All patients had undergone brain scanning with SPECT during their evaluation, and almost all had also undergone magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and standard computed tomography (CT).

Delayed facial nerve palsy after endolymphatic sac surgery.

Data on delayed facial nerve palsy (DFNP) following endolymphatic sac enhancement surgery are limited. We conducted a retrospective chart review to determine the incidence, possible predisposing factors, treatment, and prognosis of DFNP in such cases. We reviewed the records of 779 patients who had undergone endolymphatic sac surgery for intractable Ménière disease from January 1997 through December 2007 at a tertiary care otologic referral center.

The predictors of postoperative laryngeal nerve paresis in patients undergoing thyroid surgery: a pilot study.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the factors predictive of postoperative laryngeal nerve paresis (LNP) in patients undergoing thyroid surgery. We also assess the implications of preoperative LNP on postoperative vocal fold status.

Study Design: Case series with retrospective chart review.

The prevalence of undiagnosed thyroid disease in patients with symptomatic vocal fold paresis.

Objective: Vocal fold paresis has a multifactorial etiology and is idiopathic in many individuals. The incidence of thyroid-related neuropathy in the larynx has not been previously described. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of previously undiagnosed thyroid disease in patients with laryngeal neuropathy and to compare this prevalence with that in a cohort of patients with a neurotologic neuropathy.

Cochlear otosclerosis adjacent to round window and oval window: a histopathological temporal bone study.

Hypothesis: The purpose of this histopathological study is to examine temporal bones of patients with cochlear otosclerosis adjacent to the round window or adjacent to the oval window as compared with healthy controls.

Background: It is unclear if the extent and site of otosclerosis affects the extent of damage to cochlear structures and hearing loss.

Methods: Twelve temporal bones from 10 patients with cochlear otosclerosis adjacent to the round window, 11 temporal bones from 8 patients with cochlear otosclerosis adjacent to the oval window, and 12 bones of healthy age-matched controls were selected for study.

Polyarteritis nodosa: a human temporal bone study.

Purpose: Polyarteritis nodosa is one of the common forms of vasculitis with multiorgan involvement. Hearing loss may be the presenting symptom of this disease. The aim of this histopathologic study was to evaluate temporal bone changes in polyarteritis nodosa and assess the correlation between otologic manifestations and histopathologic findings.

Cochlear pathology in human temporal bones with otitis media.

Conclusion: Middle and inner ear interactions in otitis media can lead to cochlear pathology. More severe pathological changes observed in the basal turn of the cochlea are consistent with prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss at higher frequencies in patients with otitis media.

Methods: Of 614 temporal bones with otitis media, 47 with chronic and 35 with purulent otitis media were selected following strict exclusion of subjects with a history of acoustic trauma, head trauma, ototoxic drugs, and other diseases affecting the cochlear labyrinth.

Potential cause of positional vertigo in Ménière's disease.

Objectives: To compare the incidence of deposits in the semicircular canals between the temporal bones with Ménière's disease and normal controls and to investigate the relationship between the incidence of deposits and the symptoms of positional vertigo, often seen in patients with Ménière's disease.

Study Design: Retrospective histopathologic human temporal bone study.

Methods: Twenty-two temporal bones from 11 patients with bilateral Ménière's disease, 28 from 14 with unilateral and 50 age-matched normal temporal bones from 30 individuals were histopathologically examined.