Anatomical investigation of safety determining factors for keyhole drilling trajectories for robotic cochlear implant surgery.

Purpose: Cochlear implants (CI) are the most successful bioprosthesis in medicine probably due to the tonotopic anatomy of the auditory pathway and of course the brain plasticity. Correct placement of the CI arrays, respecting the inner ear anatomy are therefore important. The ideal trajectory to insert a cochlear implant array is defined by an entrance through the round window membrane and continues as long as possible parallel to the basal turn of the cochlea.

Defining the ideal trajectory into the inner ear in image-guided cochlear implant surgery.

The aim of robot-assisted cochlear implant surgery (RACIS) is to access the inner ear with minimal trauma. High-resolution imaging, empowered with a highly accurate navigation system can enable the planning of a direct keyhole drilling trajectory toward the inner ear. The time has come to (re)define the ideal trajectory into the inner ear with robot-assisted tools that can drill with the highest accuracy.

Noise exposure of the inner ear during robotic drilling.

Introduction: Preserving the cochlear structures and thus hearing preservation, has become a prominent topic of discussion in cochlear implant (CI) surgery. Various approaches and soft surgical techniques have been described when approaching the inner ear. Robot-assisted cochlear implant surgery (RACIS) reaches the round window in a minimally invasive manner by following a trajectory of minimal trauma.

Evaluating ChatGPT-4's performance as a digital health advisor for otosclerosis surgery.

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of ChatGPT-4, an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, in providing accurate and comprehensible information to patients regarding otosclerosis surgery.

Methods: On October 20, 2023, 15 hypothetical questions were posed to ChatGPT-4 to simulate physician-patient interactions about otosclerosis surgery. Responses were evaluated by three independent ENT specialists using the DISCERN scoring system.

Entirely robotic cochlear implant surgery.

Introduction: Robot-assisted cochlear implant surgery (RACIS) as defined by the HEARO®-procedure performs minimal invasive cochlear implant (CI) surgery by directly drilling a keyhole trajectory towards the inner ear. Hitherto, an entirely robotic automation including electrode insertion has not been described yet. The feasability of using a newly developed, dedicated motorised device for automated electrode insertion in the first clinical case of entirely robotic cochlear implant surgery was investigated.

More than 40 years of cochlear implant research: A bibliometric analysis.

Objectives: Cochlear implantation is the most effective treatment for patients with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss. Much scientific work has been published since their inception. There is a need for a critical reflection on how and what we publish on cochlear implantation.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the diagnostic value of optokinetic after-nystagmus in vestibular disorders.

Introduction: To date, no systematic review or meta-analysis has critically evaluated the relevance of using optokinetic after-nystagmus (OKAN) in diagnosis of vestibular disorders. To assess the role of OKAN in diagnosis of vestibular disorders, the OKAN time constant (TC) between patients with vestibular disorders and healthy participants will be compared.

Methods: Automated search strategies were carried out in the Embase, Medline PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases from inception to December 2023.

Comprehensiveness of online sources for patient education on otosclerosis.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the readability indices of websites including educational materials on otosclerosis.

Methods: We performed a Google search on 19 April 2023 using the term "otosclerosis." The first 50 hits were collected and analyzed.

Quality of life, hearing results, patient satisfaction and postoperative complications of day-case versus inpatient unilateral cochlear implantation in adults: a randomized controlled, equivalence trial.

Objective: To investigate the hypothesis that day-case cochlear implantation is associated with equal quality of life, hearing benefits and complications rates, compared to inpatient cochlear implantation.

Study Design: A single-center, non-blinded, randomized controlled, equivalence trial in a tertiary referral center.

Methods: Thirty adult patients with post-lingual bilateral sensorineural hearing loss eligible for unilateral cochlear implantation surgery were randomly assigned to either the day-case or inpatient treatment group.

Comprehensiveness of online sources for patient education on hereditary hearing impairment.

Introduction: The present study aimed at investigating the readability of online sources on hereditary hearing impairment (HHI).

Methods: In August 2022, the search terms "hereditary hearing impairment", "genetic deafness", hereditary hearing loss", and "sensorineural hearing loss of genetic origin" were entered into the Google search engine and educational materials were determined. The first 50 websites were determined for each search.

Analysis of congenital hearing loss after neonatal hearing screening.

Introduction: Neonates undergo neonatal hearing screening to detect congenital hearing loss at an early stage. Once confirmed, it is necessary to perform an etiological workup to start appropriate treatment. The study objective was to assess the different etiologies, risk factors, and hearing results of infants with permanent hearing loss and to evaluate the efficacy and consequences of the different screening devices over the last 21 years.

True keyhole cochlear implant surgery.

Introduction: Minimal invasive Robotic Assisted Cochlear Implant Surgery (RACIS) is a keyhole surgery by definition. It is therefore not possible to visualize the electrode array during insertion in the scala tympani. Hitherto, surgeons visualised the round window via the external auditory canal by folding over the tympanic membrane.

Audiological outcomes of robot-assisted cochlear implant surgery.

Purpose: The main objective of this study is to evaluate the short-term and long-term audiological outcomes in patients who underwent cochlear implantation with a robot-assisted system to enable access to the cochlea, and to compare outcomes with a matched control group of patients who underwent cochlear implantation with conventional access to the cochlea.

Methods: In total, 23 patients were implanted by robot-assisted cochlear implant surgery (RACIS). To evaluate the effectiveness of robotic surgery in terms of audiological outcomes, a statistically balanced control group of conventionally implanted patients was created.

Evaluation of a Less Invasive Cochlear Implant Surgery in Mutations Provoking Deafblindness.

Cochlear implantation (CI) for deafblindness may have more impact than for non-syndromic hearing loss. Deafblind patients have a double handicap in a society that is more and more empowered by fast communication. CI is a remedy for deafness, but requires revision surgery every 20 to 25 years, and thus placement should be minimally invasive.

Congenital facial nerve palsy: Single center study.

Objectives: This study will list the most common comorbidities of congenital facial nerve palsy and how to detect and treat them, with special attention for ENT-problems such as hearing loss. Congenital facial nerve palsy is a very rare entity but in UZ Brussels hospital there was a follow-up of 16 children in the last 30 years.

Methods: Literature review has been done, combined with thorough research of our own series of 16 children with congenital facial nerve palsy.

A Bibliometric Analysis of Publications on Tinnitus: A Study Based on Web of Science Data From 1980 to 2020.

Background: The incidence of tinnitus has been increasing together with its patient impact and societal costs. Much research has been conducted in the field of tinnitus, especially on treatment modalities because there still is no cure. This study aims to analyze the evolutions and developments in the scientific output relating to tinnitus.

The superiority of Dexpanthenol or Vaseline as excipient in nasal formulations.

Objective: Dexpanthenol is an ingredient in multiple topical pharmaceutical preparations thanks to its high penetration and localized concentration. It is included in many ointments or lotions for dermatological use, assisting in healing and reducing pruritus. Vaseline is a synthetic product obtained by distilling crude oil.

Efficacy and toxicity of Anatolian propolis on healthy nasal epithelial cells.

Objective: In our study we aimed to evaluate the effects of applying propolis topically to epithelial cells of the nasal cells, to discover whether this causes any toxic effect upon the cells.

Materials And Methods: Samples of healthy human primary nasal epithelium harvested during septoplasty from volunteers were incubated in cell culture. MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assays may be utilized when assessing cellular damage (toxicity), as evidenced by DNA fragmentation, nuclear condensation, alteration in the outer plasma membrane and cytoskeletal alteration.

Infected nasal gout tophus: A case report.

Gout is a common form of inflammatory arthritis, characterized by the deposition of monosodium urate crystals. If chronically present and not adequately treated by serum urate reducers, gout tophi can develop at various locations. Here, we report the first infected gout tophus at the septal cartilage and nasal tip.

Anatomical barriers against SARS-CoV-2 neuroinvasion at vulnerable interfaces visualized in deceased COVID-19 patients.

Can SARS-CoV-2 hitchhike on the olfactory projection and take a direct and short route from the nose into the brain? We reasoned that the neurotropic or neuroinvasive capacity of the virus, if it exists, should be most easily detectable in individuals who died in an acute phase of the infection. Here, we applied a postmortem bedside surgical procedure for the rapid procurement of tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid samples from deceased COVID-19 patients infected with the Delta, Omicron BA.1, or Omicron BA.