Otologic Concerns for Cleft Lip and Palate Patient.

Understanding eustachian tube physiology and anticipating probable eustachian tube dysfunction is an important component of cleft palate management. This article provides a brief summary of the otologic physiology and issues that may be of concern to cleft palate management. It is of critical importance not only to provide primary closure of the cleft palate, but also to recognize that along with speech, hearing has a critical component to the educational and social success of all individuals.

Balance in children with bilateral cochlear implants.

Objective: To determine whether unilateral or bilateral cochlear implantation affects the functional balance of children when compared with children with severe-to-profound bilateral hearing loss without a cochlear implant.

Designs: An observational case control study.

Methods: Three cohorts of children aged 4 to 17 years were studied: those with unilateral cochlear implants, those with bilateral cochlear implants, and nonimplanted children with severe-to-profound bilateral hearing loss.

Antibiotic resistance and otomycosis in the draining ear: culture results by diagnosis.

Objective: The objective of the study was to better define changes in the bacteriology of suppurative otitis in recent years and the role of cultures in the management of these patients.

Study Design: A retrospective review was performed.

Methods: Outpatient records from 170 patients collected over 3 years with information regarding the bacteria cultured, antibiotic resistance, and clinical diagnosis were analyzed.

Hyaluronic acid hydrogel sustains the delivery of dexamethasone across the round window membrane.

Background: The use of intratympanic (IT) steroids for the treatment of inner ear disorders is promising, but the clinical challenges of prolonged middle ear drug application have proven burdensome, and a sustainable delivery system is yet to be developed.

Method: In this study, a guinea pig model was used to determine if dexamethasone in combination with a hyaluronic-acid (HA)-based hydrogel is an efficient, stable and sustainable dexamethasone delivery system to the inner ear. For each animal, right and left middle ear bullae were randomly selected to be filled with dexamethasone alone or dexamethasone-HA (Dex-HA) gel.

Giant-cell tumors of the temporal bone: management strategies.

Objective: To discuss the current management options for giant-cell tumors (GCTs) involving the temporal bone and present two case reports and a review of the literature.

Method: In a tertiary-care academic medical center, two patients with GCTs of the temporal bone were evaluated and managed. The patients underwent gross total resection and curettage of GCTs involving the temporal bone.

Current bacteriology of suppurative otitis: resistant patterns and outcomes analysis.

Introduction: Antibiotic resistance has complicated the management of the draining ear. In this study, we examine the factors predisposing to resistance, as well as the role culture played in the management of these patients.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients with a complaint of otorrhea during a 3-year period.

Laser myringoplasty for tympanic membrane atelectasis.

Objective: To review our experience with laser myringoplasty using a potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP) laser for pars tensa atelectasis.

Study Design: Retrospective review.

Methods: A pulsed diode KTP laser (532 nm) was used to tighten the tympanic membrane after lysis of middle ear adhesions through a myringotomy.

Diagnosis and treatment of otitis media.

Diagnostic criteria for acute otitis media include rapid onset of symptoms, middle ear effusion, and signs and symptoms of middle ear inflammation. Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis are the most common bacterial isolates from the middle ear fluid of children with acute otitis media. Fever, otalgia, headache, irritability, cough, rhinitis, listlessness, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, and pulling at the ears are common, but nonspecific symptoms.

Identification and characterization of choline transporter-like protein 2, an inner ear glycoprotein of 68 and 72 kDa that is the target of antibody-induced hearing loss.

The Kresge Hearing Research Institute-3 (KHRI-3) antibody binds to a guinea pig inner ear supporting cell antigen (IESCA) and causes hearing loss. To gain insight into the mechanism of antibody-induced hearing loss, we used antibody immunoaffinity purification to isolate the IESCA, which was then sequenced by mass spectroscopy, revealing 10 guinea pig peptides identical to sequences in human choline transporter-like protein 2 (CTL2). Full-length CTL2 cDNA sequenced from guinea pig inner ear has 85.

Chemical and physical labyrinthectomy for Meniere's disease.

The use of intratympanic gentamicin is currently a popular and easily performed office procedure for the conservative treatment of the Meniere's disease patient who has failed medical therapy or who is not a candidate for surgical therapy. The procedure provides excellent control for the symptom of vertigo. Despite this success, there remains a significant risk of hearing loss irrespective of administered dose.