Endoscopic classification system of pars tensa retractions.

Background: Previous classification systems of pars tensa retractions have not consistently incorporated ossicular erosion or the presence of cholesteatoma.

Objective: This study aimed to illustrate our classification of pars tensa retractions, which is more precise than previous systems, with aided use of the endoscope.

Methods: A retrospective study was carried out on 200 ears of 170 patients whose pars tensa retractions had been documented at a tertiary otological referral centre.

Management of attic retraction pockets.

Objective: Attic retraction pockets, classified by degree of invasion and erosion, are reconstructed here as outlined by attic retraction pocket grade.

Method: Attic retraction pocket grade, surgical management, subsequent conditions of tympanic membrane and middle ear, and improvement of air-bone gap pure tone average were recorded.

Results: Our management strategy, based on attic retraction pocket grade, was applied to 200 ears: 44 grade I ears had non-surgical management and 156 grade II-V ears had surgical management.

A Unified Classification of Middle Ear and Petrous Bone Congenital Cholesteatomas.

Background: The aim of this study was to classify congenital cholesteatoma along an entire spectrum of involvement ranging from the middle ear to petrous apex.

Methods: A total of 131 patients (85 adults and 46 children) underwent operations for congenital cholesteatoma over the duration of 27 years.

Results: For most cases, middle ear mucosa was normal, the first ossicle eroded by the mass was the stapes, and the mastoid air cell system was well-pneumatized on intraoperative and radiographic views.

The Thickness of the facial Nerve Sheath Consistently Varies by Region in Its Intra-Tympanic Course on Cadaveric Study.

Objectives: Iatrogenic removal of intra-temporal disease processes, such as cholesteatoma and keratosis obturans, can be challenging when the facial nerve (FN) is involved. Despite this concern about possible FN injury during these procedures, our clinical observation has been that the diseased growth can be cleaned quite easily from the vertical FN epineurium. Therefore, we designed a cadaveric protocol to measure thickness of the FN sheath (epineurium) in horizontal, second genu and vertical FN segments and to correlate these measurements with surgical management of FN disorders.

Concerns of Patients With Ménière Disease in Ethiopia, India, and the United States.

This survey of 17 patients with Ménière disease in 3 countries evaluates their concerns, daily activities, self-image, and understanding of the disease.

Facial Nerve Decompression After Temporal Bone Fracture-The Bangalore Protocol.

Our tertiary otology center treats facial weakness and paralysis after motor vehicle crashes. We evaluate these patients with physical exam, audiogram, Schirmer's test, and CT scan. Our protocol for management of the facial weakness provides good results for our patients.

Effective Inexpensive Management of Necrotizing Otitis Externa Is Possible in Resource-Poor Settings.

Introduction: Necrotizing otitis externa resolves best with antimicrobial treatment. How to care for these patients and monitor their resolution remains a problem. Our protocol in Bangalore can manage these patients inexpensively and well.