Congenital Retrosigmoid Cholesteatoma: Case Series and Literature Review.

Background: This study aimed to discuss 3 cases of congenital cholesteatoma located posterior to the sigmoid sinus, with no/minimal involvement of mastoid, and compare them with cases presented in the literature to better define this rare entity.

Methods: Retrospective chart analysis of 3 congenital cholesteatomas located posterior to the sigmoid sinus treated surgically in 2 skull-base centers and literature review. Though congenital cholesteatoma can arise outside the middle ear, only a few cases presenting in the retrosigmoid occipital bone have been described earlier.

Evaluation of the transmastoid plugging approach for superior semicircular canal dehiscences: a retrospective series of 30 ears.

Purpose: The classical surgical approach for superior semicircular canal dehiscences (SSCD) is via the extradural middle cranial fossa. This pathway is used to resurface or to plug the SSC. In this paper, we present long-term data on an alternative route: the transmastoid pathway.

Decompression of the internal auditory canal via the retrosigmoid approach in a patient with Camurati-Engelmann disease: illustrative case.

Background: Camurati-Engelmann disease (CED) is a rare condition characterized by hyperostosis of the long bones and skull base. Symptoms include contractures and pain in affected extremities but can also include manifestations of cranial hyperostosis such as intracranial hypertension, Chiari malformation, exophthalmia, frontal bossing, and several cranial neuropathies due to cranial foraminal stenosis.

Observations: This report describes a 27-year-old patient with suspected CED who developed progressive intermittent facial nerve paresis, hemifacial spasms, and a decrease in hearing.

Cochlear Patency after Translabyrinthine and Retrosigmoid Vestibular Schwannoma Surgery.

Objectives: To assess the incidence and onset of cochlear obliteration after translabyrinthine and retrosigmoid vestibular schwannoma surgery.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively identified a consecutive series of eighty ears in eighty vestibular schwannoma patients who were treated via a translabyrinthine or retrosigmoid approach by a single neuro-otological surgical team in a tertiary referral center from May 2011 to January 2018. Postoperative, high- resolution T2-weighted turbo spin echo three-dimensional magnetic resonance (MR) images of the posterior fossa were evaluated at the level of the membranous labyrinth and internal auditory canal.

Intratemporal facial nerve schwannomas: multicenter experience of 80 cases.

Purpose: To provide more data on the clinical presentation and natural evolution of facial nerve schwannomas and to provide guidance for therapeutic decision making.

Methods: A retrospective case review of eighty patients diagnosed with a facial nerve schwannoma between 1990 and 2018 in ten tertiary referral centers in Europe was performed. Patients' demographics, symptomatology, audiometry, anatomical site (segments involved), size and whenever possible volume measurement were registered.

Cochlear Erosion due to a Facial Nerve Schwannoma.

Facial nerve schwannomas are rare benign neoplasms. We report a case of a 60-year-old woman who initially presented with vestibular complaints. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a facial nerve schwannoma centered on the right geniculate ganglion extending in the labyrinthine segment.

The Value of Diffusion-Weighted MRI in the Long-term follow-up After Subtotal Petrosectomy for Extensive Cholesteatoma and Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media.

Objective: To report the long-term follow-up with diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW MRI) after subtotal petrosectomy (SP) with blind sac closure of the external auditory canal for extensive cholesteatoma and chronic suppurative otitis media.

Study Design: Retrospective clinical record study.

Setting: Tertiary referral center.

The Bony Obliteration Tympanoplasty in Pediatric Cholesteatoma: Long-term Hearing Results.

Objective: To present the hearing results of a 5-year longitudinal study in a pediatric population undergoing surgery for extensive cholesteatoma using a canal wall up (CWU) approach with bony obliteration of the mastoid and epitympanic space, with a standard residual rate of 5.8%, a recurrence rate of 2.9%, and all ears waterproof, free of otorrhea and all external ear canals patent and self-cleaning.

EAONO Position Statement on Vestibular Schwannoma: Imaging Assessment. What are the Indications for Performing a Screening MRI Scan for a Potential Vestibular Schwannoma?

Currently, cerebellopontine angle tumor and, more specifically, vestibular schwannoma is diagnosed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The main reason to perform an MRI scan is to determine asymmetrical sensorineural hearing loss. The extent of asymmetry differs in the presentation of vestibular schwannoma, making it difficult to determine when to perform imaging diagnostics.

EAONO position statement on Vestibular Schwannoma: Imaging Assessment Question: How should growth of Vestibular Schwannoma be defined?

The relevance of defining the growth of vestibular schwannoma (VS) is that any significant VS growth may impact treatment strategy. A conservative treatment strategy is often proposed as a primary treatment option in the management of VS. Several authors have demonstrated that a significant proportion of VSs do not grow, and those that do, usually grow slowly.

What is the Required Frequency of MRI Scanning in the Wait and Scan Management?

The wait and scan policy is being increasingly used as the first measure after the diagnosis of a vestibular schwannoma (VS) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). As part of the European Academy of Otology and Neuro-Otology (EAONO) position statement on VS, the frequency of imaging has been studied in the literature. Among 163 studies, 29 fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were scored using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system.

Surgical Treatment of Acquired Atresia of the External Auditory Ear Canal.

 Acquired atresia of the external auditory canal is characterized by the formation of fibrous tissue in the medial part. The causes include chronic otitis externa, perforated chronic otitis media, postoperative or idiopathic healing problems. Acquired atresia presents with hearing loss and can be associated with otorrhea.

The MO-meatocanalplasty: a modification of the M-meatoplasty to address the superior quadrants and the bony canal.

The meatoplasty of the external auditory canal is a frequently performed otologic procedure in recurrent otitis externa, eczema or frequent accumulation of cerumen due to a narrow meatus of the external ear canal. Numerous surgical techniques have been described. The M-meatoplasty described by Mirck for addressing the external meatus is widely used.

Surgical Management and Hearing Outcome of Traumatic Ossicular Injuries.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate etiological, clinical, and pathological characteristics of traumatic injuries of the middle ear ossicular chain and to evaluate hearing outcome after surgery.

Material And Methods: Thirty consecutive patients (31 ears) with traumatic ossicular injuries operated on between 2004 and 2015 in two tertiary referral otologic centers were retrospectively analyzed. Traumatic events, clinical features, ossicular lesions, treatment procedures, and audiometric results were evaluated.

Long-term Results of Troublesome CWD Cavity Reconstruction by Mastoid and Epitympanic Bony Obliteration (CWR-BOT) in Adults.

Objective: To present the long-term surgical outcome of the bony mastoid and epitympanic obliteration technique with canal wall reconstruction (CWR-BOT) in adults with an unstable cavity after previous canal wall-down surgery for extensive cholesteatoma.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Interventions: Therapeutic.

Validity and Test-Retest Reliability of the Dutch Version of the Chronic Otitis Media Questionnaire 12 (COMQ-12).

Objective: To test the validity and test-retest reliability of the Dutch translation of the Chronic Otitis Media Questionnaire 12 (COMQ-12).

Materials And Methods: Thirty-five healthy individuals with no history of chronic otitis media (COM) received the questionnaire as well as a group of 35 patients with complaints of COM. The healthy participants had to complete the questionnaire twice (control group 1 and control group 2) to estimate the test-retest reliability, and their scores were compared with those of the patients (group 3) to test the validity.

Outcome evaluation of the dizziness handicap inventory in an outpatient vestibular clinic.

Background: The DHI is a widely used questionnaire for the evaluation of the self-reported disability in patients with dizziness and balance problems.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the DHI scores and demographic, symptomatic and diagnostic parameters.

Methods: Retrospective study in 568 patients with balance problems.

The Bony Obliteration Tympanoplasty in Pediatric Cholesteatoma: Long-term Safety and Hygienic Results.

Objective: To present the safety and hygienic results of a 5-year longitudinal study in a pediatric population undergoing surgery for extensive cholesteatoma using a canal wall up approach with bony obliteration of the mastoid and epitympanic space.

Study Design: Retrospective consecutive study.

Patients: Thirty-three children (≤18 yr) undergoing surgery for cholesteatoma (34 ears) between 1997 and 2009.

Handling an Isolated Malleus Handle Fracture: Current Diagnostic Work-up and Treatment Options.

Background: An isolated malleus handle fracture is rare and presents with vague otological symptoms. Diagnosis depends on careful history taking and otoscopic examination. Different treatment options are available.

Clinical presentation of intralabyrinthine schwannomas: a multicenter study of 110 cases.

Objective: To describe the presentation of intralabyrinthine schwannomas (ILSs).

Study Design And Setting: Retrospective multicenter study involving 12 European skull base surgery tertiary referral centers.

Patients: One hundred ten patients with the diagnosis of ILS, either labyrinth confined or extending into the internal auditory meatus for less than 50% of their volume.

Treatment of traumatic stapediovestibular luxation: case report with the introduction of a new technique and review of literature.

Objective: Stapediovestibular luxations are rare lesions that are most commonly caused by direct, penetrating trauma to the external ear canal. In this type of ossicular dislocation, disruption of the annular ligament or footplate fracture may lead to a perilymphatic fistula (PLF) presenting with cochleovestibular symptoms including (progressive) sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and vestibular symptoms. The objective of this article is to define the optimal treatment of stapediovestibular luxations and review the literature on this topic.

Amplification options in unilateral aural atresia: an active middle ear implant or a bone conduction device?

Background: There is no consensus on treatment of patients with congenital unilateral aural atresia. Currently, 3 intervention options are available, namely, surgical reconstruction, application of a bone-conduction device (BCD), or application of a middle ear implant.

Objective: The present study aims to compare the BCD with the application of a middle ear implant.

Transmastoid repair of superior semicircular canal dehiscence.

Objective/Hypothesis Superior semicircular canal (Sup SC) dehiscence syndrome is a rare condition, causing a variety of auditory and vestibular symptoms. The traditional surgical management is a middle cranial fossa, extradural approach to resurface the Sup SC. Recently, a transmastoid approach for plugging of the Sup SC has been developed.

Fundus obliteration and facial nerve outcome in vestibular schwannoma surgery.

The major objectives in vestibular schwannoma (VS) surgery have evolved from reducing mortality to functional preservation of the facial nerve and hearing. Absence of fluid between the lateral end of the VS and the internal auditory canal fundus on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appeared to have a negative influence on hearing outcome. Our goal was to study the prognostic significance of fundus obliteration on facial nerve function after VS surgery in patients with clinically normal facial function.

Ossicular reconstruction: hydroxyapatite bone cement versus incus remodelling: how to manage incudostapedial discontinuity.

The objective of this study was to compare the hearing outcome using hydroxyapatite (HA) bone cement to bridge the incudostapedial gap versus incus remodelling for ossiculoplasty in case of incudostapedial discontinuity. A non-randomized retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary referral otologic centre. The intervention in 24 primary cases of conductive hearing loss was subsequent middle ear inspection where incudostapedial discontinuity was observed.