Endolymphatic Sac Decompression With Intra-Sac Dexamethasone Injection in Menière's Disease.

Objective: Endolymphatic sac decompression surgery (ELSD) may be used to treat patients who have Menière's 's disease refractory to medical therapy. In this study, we investigated whether or not the injection of steroid into the endolymphatic sac at the time of ELSD provides additional benefit to patient outcomes.

Study Design: Randomized prospective single-blinded placebo-controlled study.

Treatment of Patients With Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo and Severe Immobility Using the Particle Repositioning Chair: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: To report treatment of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) in patients unable to undergo traditional canalith repositioning maneuvers (CRMs) using a particle repositioning chair (PRC).

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted at a single high-volume otology practice of patients diagnosed with BPPV from 2007 to 2017 with immobility prohibiting use of traditional CRMs. Patients were diagnosed and treated using a PRC, and outcome measures including resolution, recurrence, and number of treatment visits were recorded.

Recurrence in Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo: A Large, Single-Institution Study.

Objective: To report rates of recurrence in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and associated patient and disease factors.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Setting: Single high-volume otology practice.

Analysis of non-posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in patients treated using the particle repositioning chair: A large, single-institution series.

Purpose: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) involving the horizontal and superior semicircular canals is difficult to study due to variability in diagnosis. We aim to compare disease, treatment, and outcome characteristics between patients with BPPV of non-posterior semicircular canals (NP-BPPV) and BPPV involving the posterior canal only (P-BPPV) using the particle repositioning chair as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool.

Methods: Retrospective review of patients diagnosed with and treated for BPPV at a high volume otology institution using the particle repositioning chair.

Comparison Study of Percutaneous Osseointegrated Bone Conduction Device Complications When Using the 9 mm Abutment Versus 6 mm Abutment at Initial Implantation.

Objectives: To assess differences in the incidence, type, and management of complications encountered with implantation of percutaneous osseointegrated bone conduction devices when using a 9 mm abutment versus 6 mm abutment at initial implantation.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Methods: One hundred thirty consecutive patients between January 2010 and December 2011 underwent single-stage percutaneous osseointegrated bone conduction device implantation using a 9 or 6 mm abutment.

Transmastoid resurfacing versus middle fossa plugging for repair of superior canal dehiscence: Comparison of techniques from a retrospective cohort.

Objective: To compare and contrast our experience with middle cranial fossa approach (MFR) and transmastoid approach with capping of the dehiscence (TMR) of superior semicircular canal dehiscence and to determine guidelines to help guide management of these patients.

Methods: All patients from 2005 to 2014 with symptomatic superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome with dehiscence demonstrated on CT scan of the temporal bone who underwent surgical repair and had a minimum 3 months of follow up. Surgical repair via the MFR or TMR, preoperative CT temporal bone, preoperative, and postoperative cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP) testing and anterior canal video head thrust testing (vHIT).

Management of Sigmoid Sinus Associated Pulsatile Tinnitus: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Objectives: Although studies demonstrate 4 to 20% of patients with pulsatile tinnitus (PT) have associated sigmoid sinus anomalies, no consensus exists regarding optimal management. Our objective was to perform a systematic review exploring surgical and endovascular intervention of PT caused by sigmoid sinus anomalies.

Data Sources/extraction: A systematic review was performed using the Preferred Reporting Systems for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines for reporting of results, with a target population encompassing patients with PT and either sigmoid sinus diverticulum or sigmoid wall dehiscence.

Mastoid and Inner Ear Measurements in Patients With Menière's Disease.

Objective: To determine the relationship between radiographic temporal bone anatomy of patients with Menière's disease in medically and surgically managed populations versus controls.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Setting: Two tertiary referral centers.

Semicircular canal dehiscence among idiopathic intracranial hypertension patients.

Objectives/hypothesis: The cause of superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) is unknown. Because of a demonstrated association with tegmental defects and obesity, some have suggested idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) could contribute by eroding the bone over the canal and resulting in SSCD. However, an association between IIH and SSCD has not previously been evaluated.

The Impact of Comorbidities in the Aging Population on Cochlear Implant Outcomes.

Objectives: Cochlear implants have been used for many years for bilateral profound hearing loss. General longevity has continued to increase and, therefore, the age at which cochlear implants are placed has concomitantly increased. Our purpose is to determine whether outcomes and complications are significantly different in the elderly.

Acquired External Auditory Canal Atresia: A Comparison of Acellular Dermal Matrix and Split-thickness Skin Grafting Techniques.

Objective: To describe the use of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) in the repair of acquired external auditory canal atresia (AEACA), and compare surgical results to AEACA repair by split-thickness skin grafting (STSG).

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Setting: Neurotology clinical practice.

Facial Nerve Schwannomas Mimicking as Vestibular Schwannomas.

 The objective of this study was to identify preoperative and intraoperative findings that may aid in distinguishing facial nerve schwannomas (FNS) from vestibular schwannomas (VSs), particularly in cases limited to the internal auditory canal (IAC) and cerebellopontine angle (CPA).  This was a retrospective study.  This study was set at a Tertiary Referral Center.

Factors Influencing Cochlear Patency after Translabyrinthine Surgery.

Objective To determine predictive factors for cochlear obliteration after translabyrinthine surgery for vestibular schwannoma. Study Design Case series with chart review. Setting Neurotology referral center.

To image or not to image? A cost-effectiveness analysis of MRI for patients with asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss.

Objectives/hypothesis: Our objective was to perform an economic analysis evaluating whether ordering a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a cost-effective practice in the workup of undifferentiated asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss (ASNHL). Use of T1 gadolinium-weighted MR (GdT1W) and T2 weighted MR without contrast (T2MR) was each examined.

Methods: The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of MR imaging among ASNHL patients was evaluated using a decision tree.

Incidence of Pediatric Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence and Inner Ear Anomalies: A Large Multicenter Review.

Objective: To determine the pediatric incidence and association of superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) with inner ear (IE) anomalies.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Setting: Two tertiary referral centers.

Does formal research training lead to academic success in otolaryngology?

Objectives/hypothesis: To evaluate whether formalized research training is associated with higher researcher productivity, academic rank, and acquisition of National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants within academic otolaryngology departments.

Methods: Each of the 100 civilian otolaryngology program's departmental websites were analyzed to obtain a comprehensive list of faculty members credentials and characteristics, including academic rank, completion of a clinical fellowship, completion of a formal research fellowship, and attainment of a doctorate in philosophy (PhD) degree. We also recorded measures of scholarly impact and successful acquisition of NIH funding.

Fully Endoscopic Retrosigmoid Vestibular Nerve Section for Refractory Meniere Disease.

Objective: This study aims to report our results and technical details of fully endoscopic retrosigmoid vestibular nerve section.

Design: A prospective observational study was conducted.

Setting: A single academic, tertiary institution involving neurosurgery and neurotology.

Management of sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Purpose Of Review: Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is an otologic emergency and should be managed quickly and effectively. This review focuses on the management of sudden SNHL, primarily idiopathic sudden SNHL as it is the most common cause.

Recent Findings: Management options include observation, oral steroids, intratympanic steroids, or combined oral/intratympanic steroids.

Cochlear Patency After Transmastoid Labyrinthectomy for Ménière's Syndrome.

Objective: Labyrinthectomy is considered the "gold standard" in the treatment of intractable vertigo attacks because of Ménière's Disease (MD) but sacrifices all residual hearing. Interest in auditory rehabilitation has lead to cochlear implantation in some patients. Concern remains that the cochlear lumen may fill with tissue or bone after surgery.

Hearing Aid Patient Education Materials: Is There Room for Improvement?

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare the readability of patient education materials (PEMs) from leading manufacturers of behind-the-ear style hearing aids and popular hearing aid information Web sites to determine if they meet guidelines recommended by public health agencies.

Research Design: Analysis of hearing aid PEMs.

Methods: Printed user guides from six of the leading manufacturers of BTE hearing aids and 15 of the most popular hearing aid-information Web sites were accessed online and analyzed for readability using the Gunning-Fog Index, New Fog Count, Raygor Estimate Graph, Simple Measure of Gobbledygook, and Flesch Reading Ease score.

Three-week loading of the 4.5mm wide titanium implant in bone anchored hearing systems.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess implant stability, implant loss, adverse skin reactions and quality of life benefit following surgical implantation and early processor loading (3-weeks post-implantation) of the Oticon Ponto 4.5 mm osseointegrated auditory implant. This study also investigates the relationship between the type of post-operative skin reactions and the gender, BMI and medical co-morbidities of participants.