Comparison of Outcomes with the Use of Different Heat-Activated Crimping Prostheses in Stapedotomy.

Objective: To determine differences in failure rate and hearing outcomes of a completely encircling heat-activated crimping prosthesis (SMart 360°) compared to partially encircling prosthesis (SMart).

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Setting: Private neurotology tertiary referral center.

Outcomes of Mastoidectomy With Antibiotic Catheter Irrigation for Patients With Draining Ventilation Tubes.

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of mastoidectomy with antibiotic catheter irrigation in patients with chronic tympanostomy tube otorrhea.

Methods: A chart review of adult and pediatric patients with persistent tympanostomy tube otorrhea who had failed outpatient medical management and underwent mastoidectomy with placement of a temporary indwelling catheter for antibiotic instillation was performed. Patients were retrospectively followed for recurrent drainage after 2 months and outcomes were categorized as resolution (0-1 episodes of otorrhea or otitis media with effusion during follow-up), improvement (2-3 episodes), or continued episodic (>3 episodes).

A Deep Learning Model for Automated Classification of Intraoperative Continuous EMG.

Objective: Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) is the use of electrophysiological methods during certain high-risk surgeries to assess the functional integrity of nerves in real time and alert the surgeon to prevent damage. However, the efficiency of IONM in current practice is limited by latency of verbal communications, inter-rater variability, and the subjective manner in which electrophysiological signals are described.

Methods: In an attempt to address these shortcomings, we investigate automated classification of free-running electromyogram (EMG) waveforms during IONM.

The Role of Mastoidectomy in Draining Ventilation Tubes.

Objectives: To discuss the indication for performing a mastoidectomy with catheter placement in patients with chronic tympanostomy tube otorrhea.

Methods: The Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online was searched via PubMed for relevant articles using serous mastoiditis, mastoidectomy, chronic otorrhea, tube otorrhea, tympanostomy tubes, and biofilm as keywords.

Results: Further understanding of the pathophysiology of otorrhea and the development of ototopical fluoroquinolones have made a draining tympanostomy tube more manageable.

Long-term outcomes of cartilage-buttressed T-tube tympanoplasty for prolonged middle ear ventilation.

Objectives/hypothesis: To report on the safety and efficacy of cartilage-buttressed T-tube tympanoplasty for long-term middle ear ventilation, specifically by examining duration of tube survival, as well as adverse events associated with prolonged middle ear intubation, including persistent tympanic membrane perforation.

Study Design: Retrospective case series of patients undergoing cartilage-buttressed T-tube tympanoplasty between January 2005 and December 2016 in a tertiary-care neurotology private practice.

Methods: Patients who underwent cartilage T-tube tympanoplasty with complete pre- and postoperative audiometric data and a minimum follow-up duration of 12 months were analyzed.

Hydroxyapatite cement cranioplasty following translabyrinthine approach: Long-term study of 369 cases.

Objective: To report the authors' experience with hydroxyapatite cement (HAC) cranioplasty and analyze the material's long-term safety and efficacy in repairing translabyrinthine skull-base defects by examining adverse events, specifically cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks and surgical site infections.

Study Design: Retrospective case-control study (primary study arm); prospective cross-sectional study of patients not examined within the last 5 years (secondary arm).

Setting: tertiary-care neurotology private practice and academic practice (two centers).

Fungal skull base osteomyelitis: Emerging microbial identification techniques.

Culture-based pathogen identification in skull base osteomyelitis, particularly for fungi, is often inaccurate. We report the case of patient with fungal skull base osteomyelitis cured by sustained antifungal therapy after 16 months of debilitating illness. Due to medical complications, a strong clinical rationale was needed to justify long-term antifungal therapy.

Round window stimulation for conductive and mixed hearing loss.

Objective: Assess surgical complications, postoperative residual hearing, and speech perception outcomes of placement of a middle ear implant on the round window in conductive and mixed hearing loss cases.

Study Design: Single-subject, repeated-measures design where each subject served as his or her own control.

Setting: Tertiary referral medical systems.

Association of benign intracranial hypertension and spontaneous encephalocele with cerebrospinal fluid leak.

Objective: To determine the incidence of intracranial hypertension in patients with spontaneous encephalocele with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak.

Study Design: Retrospective case review.

Setting: Tertiary care neurotology practice.

Differences in genotype and virulence among four multidrug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates belonging to the PMEN1 clone.

We report on the comparative genomics and characterization of the virulence phenotypes of four S. pneumoniae strains that belong to the multidrug resistant clone PMEN1 (Spain(23F) ST81). Strains SV35-T23 and SV36-T3 were recovered in 1996 from the nasopharynx of patients at an AIDS hospice in New York.

Resorbable plate cranioplasty after the translabyrinthine approach.

Objective: To determine the safety of resorbable plate cranioplasty after translabyrinthine cerebellopontine angle tumor excision and to determine efficacy of this technique in the reduction of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks compared with fat grafting alone.

Study Design: Prospective clinical trial with matched, historic case controls.

Setting: University tertiary referral center.

Patterns of failure in heat-activated crimping prosthesis in stapedotomy.

Objective: To understand potential causes of failure in heat-activated crimping prosthesis in stapedotomy.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review of all primary and subsequent revision stapedotomy operations performed by the senior authors with heat-activated-crimping prosthesis between June 2003 and September 2009. Patients who had history of previous stapedotomy performed elsewhere were excluded.

Acoustic tumor observation and failure to follow-up.

Objective: To review the clinical course of patients undergoing observation for their acoustic tumor with evaluation of the incidence and contributing variables to failure to follow-up.

Study Design: Case series with chart review and telephone interview.

Setting: Single subspecialty practice.

An alternative treatment for facial nerve tumors: short-term results of radiotherapy.

A review of medical records of patients undergoing radiotherapy for facial nerve tumors was undertaken to determine subsequent facial nerve results, hearing results, and tumor control. Two patients with facial nerve tumors received this treatment. Facial nerve function remains excellent in one patient and significantly improved in the other.

Combined petrosal approaches in the management of temporal bone meningiomas.

Objectives: To evaluate the indications and outcomes of the combined petrosal approaches in the surgical management of temporal bone meningiomas.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Setting: University teaching hospital.

Visually enhanced vestibulo-ocular reflex: a diagnostic tool for migraine vestibulopathy.

Objectives: 1) To compare the incidence of elevated visually enhanced vestibular-ocular reflex (VVOR) rotational gain during rotational chair testing in a normal control group versus a group of patients diagnosed with migraine vestibulopathy; 2) to discuss the possible application of VVOR gain during rotational chair testing for diagnosing migraine vestibulopathy.

Study Design: Prospective normal control group and retrospective cohort comparison.

Methods: 1) Prospective rotational chair studies including VVOR in 20 normal control patients; 2) retrospective review of vestibular studies including VVOR in 100 consecutive patients with migraine vestibulopathy.

Stapedectomy in congenital stapes fixation: are hearing outcomes poorer?

Objective: To evaluate outcomes of stapedectomy surgery for congenital stapes fixation.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Methods: The charts of 463 stapedectomies performed by 1 surgeon from 1996 to 2003 were reviewed.

Reversible peripheral vestibulopathy: the treatment of superior canal dehiscence.

Objective: Superior canal dehiscence (SCD) is a recently described disorder that results from absence of bone over the superior semicircular canal. We have reviewed 30 cases of SCD found at our institution and report their presentation, workup, and response to therapy.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review of all patients diagnosed with SCD from 1999 to 2004 at the University of Utah.

Implantation of the ossified cochlea: management with the split electrode array.

Objectives/hypothesis: To describe indications for, the surgical technique required, and the expected functional results of split electrode array cochlear implants.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Methods: Data collected included etiology of deafness, radiographic findings, pre- and postoperative aided pure tone thresholds, and speech perception testing.

Jugular foramen schwannomas: diagnosis, management, and outcomes.

Objectives/hypothesis: To describe the presentation, radiographic findings, and surgical management of seven patients who have been diagnosed and treated with jugular foramen schwannomas at the University of Utah.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Methods: The charts of seven patients diagnosed with jugular foramen schwannomas were reviewed for presentation symptoms, radiographic findings, and physical examination findings.

Vestibular nerve section versus intratympanic gentamicin for Meniere's disease.

Objectives/hypothesis: Vestibular nerve section and transtympanic gentamicin administration are procedures with proven efficacy in the treatment of vertigo associated with Meniere's disease refractory to medical management. Hearing loss is a known complication of each of these procedures; however, there has not been a report of hearing results of both treatments from a single institution.

Study Design: Retrospective review.

Ossicular chain reconstruction: titanium versus plastipore.

Objective: To compare the complication rate and hearing results of a new, lightweight, titanium ossicular replacement prosthesis with Plastipore prostheses (Xomed, Jacksonville, FL).

Study Design: Retrospective.

Methods: Charts were reviewed for type of operation, type of prosthesis used, extrusion rate, prostheses failure rate, and hearing thresholds at multiple frequencies and at multiple follow-up points.

The comparative risks of bacterial contamination between a venturi atomizer and a positive displacement atomizer.

Introduction: This laboratory study determined the incidence of internal contamination of Venturi principle atomizers and positive displacement atomizers exposed to high external concentrations of Staphylococcal aureus (Staph).

Methods: Atomizer device nozzle tips were immersed into a Staph solution and I ml of spray was atomized via compressed wall air (Venturi) or hydraulic pump (positive displacement). The Venturi nozzle was then wiped with 70% isopropyl alcohol while the disposable positive displacement nozzle was replaced.