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Background: The spread of excitation (SOE) and auditory nerve recovery function (REC) are objective measures recorded by neural response telemetry and may interfere in cochlear implant (CI) stimulation. Objective: To analyze and correlate SOE with the refractory periods in subjects with pre- and postlingual deafness implanted with different electrode arrays. Methods: This was a retrospective study of 323 ears separated by perimodiolar or straight arrays and by pre- or postlingually deaf recipients. Measures were collected intraoperatively on electrode 11. The SOE width was measured in millimeters at the 0.75 point of the curve, and the relative (tau) and absolute (t0) refractory periods were measured in microseconds. Results: There was a statistical correlation between the SOE and the t0 in the patients with postlingual deafness implanted with the perimodiolar array. The SOE width was statistically different between the straight and perimodiolar arrays and between the pre- and postlingual groups in the perimodiolar array. Tau was statistically different between the pre- and postlingual groups with the straight array and the t0, between the pre- and postlingual groups with the perimodiolar array. Neural response threshold and amplitude of the neural response were not statistically different among groups. Conclusion: There was a correlation between SOE width and t0 only in patients with acquired deafness. The findings suggest that different factors influence SOE and REC, considering SOE is different according to the electrode array and REC being different according the onset of deafness.

RESUMO Objetivo Descrever os benefícios nos limiares auditivos e no desempenho de reconhecimento de sentenças no silêncio e no ruído em indivíduos com a adaptação unilateral do Sistema Ponto®. Métodos Estudo observacional, retrospectivo, de seguimento longitudinal. A casuística foi composta por fontes de dados secundários de dez indivíduos com perda auditiva condutiva ou mista, que foram submetidos à cirurgia com o Sistema Ponto®. Os resultados foram analisados nas seguintes condições: a) pré-cirúrgicas: sem AASI; com AASI por condução aérea ou óssea e com o processador Ponto Pro® acoplado a uma banda elástica; b) pós-cirúrgicas: na ativação e após seis meses de uso. Resultados Os limiares da audiometria tonal por conduções aérea e óssea mantiveram-se estáveis após a cirurgia, enquanto os limiares auditivos em campo livre e o reconhecimento de fala no silêncio e no ruído foram estatisticamente melhores na ativação e após seis meses de uso do Sistema Ponto®. Não houve diferença nos resultados com os indivíduos utilizando o Sistema Ponto® com a banda elástica e após a cirurgia. Conclusão O Sistema Ponto® propiciou benefício nas habilidades auditivas de detecção em todas as frequências testadas, assim como no reconhecimento de sentenças no silêncio e no ruído. ABSTRACT Purpose To describe the benefits in hearing thresholds and sentence recognition performance in silence and noise, in users of the unilateral Ponto® system. Methods An observational, retrospective, longitudinal study. The sample consisted of secondary data sources from 10 individuals with conductive or mixed hearing loss who underwent surgery with the Ponto® System. The results were analyzed in the following pre-surgical conditions (without hearing aids; with hearing aids by air or bone conduction; with the Ponto Pro® processor with a soft band) and post-surgical (on activation and after six months of use). Results The thresholds of pure tone audiometry by air and bone conductions remained stable after surgery, while the auditory thresholds in free field and speech recognition in silence and in noise were statistically better when using the Ponto® system. There was no difference between the results obtained with the individuals using Ponto® with soft band and post-surgically. Conclusion The Ponto® system provided benefits in hearing detection skills in all tested frequencies, as well as, in recognition of the sentence in silence and noise.

Introduction Middle fossa approach has been suggested as an alternative for patients in whom other routes of electrode insertion are contraindicated. Even though there are temporal bone studies about the feasibility of introducing the cochlear implant through the middle fossa, until now, very few studies have described results when cochlear implant surgery is done through this approach. Objective The objective of this study is to review a series of temporal bone studies related to cochlear implantation through the middle fossa and the results obtained by different surgical groups after cochlear implantation through this approach. Data Sources PubMed, MD consult and Ovid-SP databases. Data Synthesis A total of 8 human cadaveric temporal bone studies and 6 studies reporting cochlear implant surgery through the middle fossa approach met the inclusion criteria. Temporal bone studies show that it is feasible to perform cochlear implantation through this route. So far, only two surgical groups have performed cochlear implantation through the middle fossa with a total of 15 implanted patients. One group entered the cochlea in the most upper part of the basal turn, inserting the implant in the direction of the middle and apical turns; meanwhile, the other group inserted the implant in the apical turn directed in a retrograde fashion to the middle and basal turns. Results obtained in both groups were similar. Conclusions The middle fossa approach is a good alternative for cochlear implantation when other routes of electrode insertion are contraindicated.

OBJECTIVES: Thrombocytopenia is a hallmark for patients with cirrhosis and it is perceived as a risk factor for bleeding events. However, the relationship between platelet count and bleeding is still unclear. METHODS: We investigated the relationship between platelet count and major or clinical relevant nonmajor bleedings during a follow-up of ∼4 years. RESULTS: A total of 280 cirrhotic patients with different degrees of liver disease (67% males; age 64±37 years; 47% Child–Pugh B and C) were followed up for a median of 1,129 (interquartile range: 800–1,498) days yielding 953.12 patient-year of observation. The annual rate of any significant bleeding was 5.45%/year (3.57%/year and 1.89%/year for major and minor bleeding, respectively). Fifty-two (18.6%) patients experienced a major (n=34) or minor (n=18) bleeding event, predominantly from gastrointestinal origin. Platelet counts progressively decreased with the worsening of liver disease and were similar in patients with or without major or minor bleeding: a platelet count ≤50×103/μl was detected in 3 (6%) patients with and in 20 (9%) patients without any bleeding event. Conversely, prothrombin time-international normalized ratio was slightly higher in patients with overall or major bleeding. On Cox proportional hazard analysis, only a previous gastrointestinal bleeding (hazard ratio (HR): 1.96; 95% confidence interval: 1.11–3.47; P=0.020) and encephalopathy (HR: 2.05; 95% confidence interval: 1.16–3.62; P=0.013) independently predicted overall bleeding events. CONCLUSIONS: Platelet count does not predict unprovoked major or minor bleeding in cirrhotic patients.

Hypothesis. This study aimed to evaluate whether there is a difference in the degree of intracochlear trauma when the cochlear implant electrode arrays is inserted through different quadrants of the round window membrane.Background. The benefits of residual hearing preservation in cochlear implant recipients have promoted the development of atraumatic surgeries. Minimal trauma during electrode insertion is crucial for residual hearing preservation.Methods. In total, 25 fresh human temporal bones were subjected to mastoidectomy and posterior tympanotomy. The cochlear implant electrode array was inserted through the anterosuperior quadrant of the round window membrane in 50% of the bones and through the anteroinferior quadrant in the remaining 50%. The temporal bones were dehydrated, embedded in epoxy, serially polished, stained, viewed through a stereomicroscope, and photographed with the electrode arraysin situ. The resulting images were analyzed for signs of intracochlear trauma.Results. Histological examinations revealed varying degrees of damage to the intracochlear structures, although the incidence and severity of intracochlear trauma were not influenced by the quadrant of insertion.Conclusions. The incidence and severity of intracochlear trauma were similar in all samples, irrespective of electrode array insertion through the anterosuperior or anteroinferior quadrant of the round window membrane.

Objective The present investigation evaluated the speech perception performance of patients with ossified cochlea implanted with the 24M Double Array cochlear implant, using standard and duplicated maps in each of the arrays. Study design Retrospective case review. Setting Tertiary referral center. Patients Sixteen subjects received a Double Array cochlear implant. Among these, 9 fulfilled the following inclusion criteria: bilateral severe-to-profound postlingual deafness; bilateral obliterated cochlea, as shown by a computed tomographic scan; and a minimum age of 14 years to ensure reliable responses in the behavioral tests with the 3 tested maps. Intervention Rehabilitative. Main outcome measures The speech perception performance with the 2 arrays was compared with that with a basal array duplicated map and an apical array duplicated map. Three maps were fitted: the default map with both arrays activated, a double channel map using only the electrodes of the basal array, and a double channel map programmed only with the electrodes of the apical array. The test battery was composed of a vowel test, a 4-choice word test, and sentence recognition in quiet. Results Statistical significance was reached in comparison the all tests in all programming conditions. Speech recognition in the standard map with both electrode arrays activated showed the highest scores. Conclusion Performance with the 2 split electrode arrays was superior to those with the single arrays, regardless of the duplication of channels.

Segundo dados do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística, a população de idosos cresceu 47,8% na última década no Brasil. Parte desta população tem surdez severa a profunda, não se beneficiando com o uso dos aparelhos auditivos convencionais. Desse modo, torna-se necessária a indicação do implante coclear. OBJETIVO: Analisar os benefícios do implante coclear nos idosos com relação à audibilidade, ao reconhecimento de fala e ao uso do telefone. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Estudo retrospectivo transversal por meio da análise de prontuários de pacientes com faixa etária acima de 60 anos usuários de implante coclear há pelo menos 1 ano. RESULTADOS: Foram analisados 14 prontuários. A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 63,07 anos. A média dos limiares tonais entre 500Hz,1kHz,2kHz e 4kHz antes da implantação foi de 113dBNA. Nenhum dos pacientes, antes de implantar, conseguia discriminar frases em contexto aberto e fechado, apenas 3 conseguiam fazê-lo com uma média de 17% de acertos. Após um ano de uso de implante, a média dos limiares em campo passou a ser de 34 dBNA, a discriminação de frases em contexto aberto de 93,57% e 71% dos pacientes já conseguiam estabelecer uma conversa ao telefone. CONCLUSÃO: Os pacientes idosos usuários de implante coclear apresentaram ganhos auditivos relevantes, com melhora significativa da compreensão em contexto aberto e no uso de telefones. According to data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, the elderly population grew 47.8% in the last decade in Brazil. A portion of this population has severe and/or profound hearing loss and do not benefit from conventional hearing aids. Thus, the use of cochlear implant is required. AIM: To analyze the benefits of cochlear implants in the elderly based on the comparison of primary auditory thresholds before and after the operation, discrimination of sentences in speech and in talking on the telephone. METHODOLOGY: Retrospective cohort study, analyzing medical records from patients aged over 60 years, users of cochlear implant for at least 1 year. RESULTS: Fourteen medical records were analyzed. Mean age of patients was 63.07 years. The mean pure tone thresholds between 500Hz, 1kHz, 2kHz and 4kHz before the implantation was 113dBHL. None of the patients, before operation, could discriminate sentences in open sets and only 3 scored 17% in closed sets sentence recognition. After one year of implantation, the mean sound field thresholds reached 34dBHL, and open set sentences recognition of 93.57%, while 71% of the patients had become able to have a conversation on the telephone. CONCLUSION: The elderly users of cochlear implant showed important outcomes, with significant improvement in understanding in the open set and in using the telephone.

Conclusion. The study shows that there are differences in the measurement of the action potentials with and without the stylet in the Nucleus Freedom Contour Advance that are higher in the apex than in the base of the cochlea. Objectives. To determine if there are differences in the intraoperative impedances and in the neural response telemetry threshold values in the Nucleus Freedom Contour Advance before and after stylet removal. Subjects and methods. This was a prospective clinical study. Intraoperative impedances and neural response telemetry in users of the Freedom Contour Advance Cochlear Implant were measured before and after stylet removal. Results. There was a significant reduction in the impedance values of an average 1.5 kΩ±2.3 in common ground mode and 1.3 kΩ±2.3 for all monopolar modes after the stylet removal (p < 0.001). When analyzing the apical, medium, and basal electrodes, there was a statistically significant reduction in the neural response thresholds after stylet removal only in the ...

A tomografia computadorizada e ressonância magnética (RM) com seqüências convencionais têm baixa especificidade para a diferenciação entre tecido de granulação e recidiva de colesteatoma. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a aplicação da RM com sequência de difusão e pós-contraste T1 tardio na detecção de recidiva de colesteatoma. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Realizado estudo transversal prospectivo de dezessete pacientes estudados no pós-operatório de colesteatoma utilizando RM de 1.5 T com seqüência difusão, T1, T2 e pós-contraste T1 tardio nos planos coronal e axial. Dois radiologistas avaliaram e decidiram em consenso a presença de foco de hipersinal na difusão e T2, iso/hipossinal em T1 e ausência de impregnação pelo contraste como suspeitos de recidiva de colesteatoma. Os achados da revisão cirúrgica foram comparados com o resultado da RM. RESULTADOS: Onze dos doze casos de recidiva de colesteatoma apresentaram hipersinal na difusão. Todos os pacientes com tecido de granulação na cavidade cirúrgica não apresentaram alteração de sinal na difusão. Um paciente com abscesso no conduto auditivo interno também apresentou hipersinal na difusão. A sensibilidade, especificidade, valor preditivo positivo e negativo foram respectivamente 91,6%, 60%, 84,6% e 75%. CONCLUSÃO: A seqüência de difusão combinada com pós-contraste tardio pode ser útil na diferenciação entre tecido de granulação e recidiva de colesteatoma.

A tomografia computadorizada e ressonância magnética (RM) com seqüências convencionais têm baixa especificidade para a diferenciação entre tecido de granulação e recidiva de colesteatoma. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a aplicação da RM com sequência de difusão e pós-contraste T1 tardio na detecção de recidiva de colesteatoma. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Realizado estudo transversal prospectivo de dezessete pacientes estudados no pós-operatório de colesteatoma utilizando RM de 1.5 T com seqüência difusão, T1, T2 e pós-contraste T1 tardio nos planos coronal e axial. Dois radiologistas avaliaram e decidiram em consenso a presença de foco de hipersinal na difus��o e T2, iso/hipossinal em T1 e ausência de impregnação pelo contraste como suspeitos de recidiva de colesteatoma. Os achados da revisão cirúrgica foram comparados com o resultado da RM. RESULTADOS: Onze dos doze casos de recidiva de colesteatoma apresentaram hipersinal na difusão. Todos os pacientes com tecido de granulação na cavidade cirúrgica não apresentaram alteração de sinal na difusão. Um paciente com abscesso no conduto auditivo interno também apresentou hipersinal na difusão. A sensibilidade, especificidade, valor preditivo positivo e negativo foram respectivamente 91,6%, 60%, 84,6% e 75%. CONCLUSÃO: A seqüência de difusão combinada com pós-contraste tardio pode ser útil na diferenciação entre tecido de granulação e recidiva de colesteatoma.Conventional CT and MRI scans have low specificity when it comes to differentiating granulation tissue from relapsing cholesteatoma. AIM: this paper aims to analyze the use of DWI and delayed post-contrast T1-weighed imaging in the detection of recurring cholesteatomas. MATERIALS AND METHOD: this is a cross-sectional prospective study that looked at 17 cholesteatoma patients postoperatively. All patients underwent diffusion magnetic resonance imaging at 1.5T, T1, T2, and delayed post-contrast T1 and images were produced from both coronal and axial planes. Two radiologists assessed the images and decided consensually that the presence of hyperintensive signal in DWI on T2, iso/hypointensive signal on T1, and absence of contrast uptake were indicative of relapsing cholesteatoma. Surgical review findings were compared to DWI scans. RESULTS: eleven of the twelve cases of recurring cholesteatoma presented hyperintensive signal in the DWI scans. None of the patients with granulation tissue in the surgical wound presented hyperintensive signal in the DWI scans. A patient with an abscess in the internal acoustic meatus also presented a hyperintensive signal in the DWI scans. Sensibility, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 91.6%, 60.0%, 84.6%, and 75.0%, respectively. CONCLUSION: DWI combined with delayed post-contrast T1 SE sequence proved to be useful in the differential diagnosis of granulation tissue and recurring cholesteatoma.

O implante auditivo de tronco cerebral foi desenvolvido para restaurar alguma audição útil em pacientes que apresentam ausência de nervo coclear bilateralmente. OBJETIVOS: Discutir a indicação, cirurgia e resultados em quatro pacientes submetidos à cirurgia para colocação de implante auditivo de tronco cerebral. CASUÍSTICA E MÉTODOS: Quatro pacientes com diagnóstico de schwannomas vestibulares bilaterais foram submetidos à cirurgia para colocação de Implante Auditivo de Tronco Cerebral durante o mesmo ato cirúrgico utilizado para a exérese de um dos tumores. Aspectos clínicos e técnicos e as referências anatômicas da cirurgia e os resultados auditivos foram analisados. RESULTADOS: Em todos os casos foram identificados as referências anatômicas ao forame de Luschka. As complicações cirúrgicas se resumiram à fístula liquórica em dois pacientes. Os eletrodos foram bem posicionados e a sensação auditiva foi suficiente para reconhecimento de sons e auxílio à leitura labial. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados auditivos de nossos pacientes abrem uma perspectiva importante aos pacientes com surdez profunda bilateral sem integridade anatômica das vias auditivas centrais.

A tomografia computadorizada e ressonância magnética (RM) com seqüências convencionais têm baixa especificidade para a diferenciação entre tecido de granulação e recidiva de colesteatoma. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a aplicação da RM com sequência de difusão e pós-contraste T1 tardio na detecção de recidiva de colesteatoma. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Realizado estudo transversal prospectivo de dezessete pacientes estudados no pós-operatório de colesteatoma utilizando RM de 1.5 T com seqüência difusão, T1, T2 e pós-contraste T1 tardio nos planos coronal e axial. Dois radiologistas avaliaram e decidiram em consenso a presença de foco de hipersinal na difusão e T2, iso/hipossinal em T1 e ausência de impregnação pelo contraste como suspeitos de recidiva de colesteatoma. Os achados da revisão cirúrgica foram comparados com o resultado da RM. RESULTADOS: Onze dos doze casos de recidiva de colesteatoma apresentaram hipersinal na difusão. Todos os pacientes com tecido de granulação na cavidade cirúrgica não apresentaram alteração de sinal na difusão. Um paciente com abscesso no conduto auditivo interno também apresentou hipersinal na difusão. A sensibilidade, especificidade, valor preditivo positivo e negativo foram respectivamente 91,6%, 60%, 84,6% e 75%. CONCLUSÃO: A seqüência de difusão combinada com pós-contraste tardio pode ser útil na diferenciação entre tecido de granulação e recidiva de colesteatoma. Conventional CT and MRI scans have low specificity when it comes to differentiating granulation tissue from relapsing cholesteatoma. AIM: this paper aims to analyze the use of DWI and delayed post-contrast T1-weighed imaging in the detection of recurring cholesteatomas. MATERIALS AND METHOD: this is a cross-sectional prospective study that looked at 17 cholesteatoma patients postoperatively. All patients underwent diffusion magnetic resonance imaging at 1.5T, T1, T2, and delayed post-contrast T1 and images were produced from both coronal and axial planes. Two radiologists assessed the images and decided consensually that the presence of hyperintensive signal in DWI on T2, iso/hypointensive signal on T1, and absence of contrast uptake were indicative of relapsing cholesteatoma. Surgical review findings were compared to DWI scans. RESULTS: eleven of the twelve cases of recurring cholesteatoma presented hyperintensive signal in the DWI scans. None of the patients with granulation tissue in the surgical wound presented hyperintensive signal in the DWI scans. A patient with an abscess in the internal acoustic meatus also presented a hyperintensive signal in the DWI scans. Sensibility, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 91.6%, 60.0%, 84.6%, and 75.0%, respectively. CONCLUSION: DWI combined with delayed post-contrast T1 SE sequence proved to be useful in the differential diagnosis of granulation tissue and recurring cholesteatoma.

O implante auditivo de tronco cerebral foi desenvolvido para restaurar alguma audição útil em pacientes que apresentam ausência de nervo coclear bilateralmente. OBJETIVOS: Discutir a indicação, cirurgia e resultados em quatro pacientes submetidos à cirurgia para colocação de implante auditivo de tronco cerebral. CASUÍSTICA E MÉTODOS: Quatro pacientes com diagnóstico de schwannomas vestibulares bilaterais foram submetidos à cirurgia para colocação de Implante Auditivo de Tronco Cerebral durante o mesmo ato cirúrgico utilizado para a exérese de um dos tumores. Aspectos clínicos e técnicos e as referências anatômicas da cirurgia e os resultados auditivos foram analisados. RESULTADOS: Em todos os casos foram identificados as referências anatômicas ao forame de Luschka. As complicações cirúrgicas se resumiram à fístula liquórica em dois pacientes. Os eletrodos foram bem posicionados e a sensação auditiva foi suficiente para reconhecimento de sons e auxílio à leitura labial. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados auditivos de nossos pacientes abrem uma perspectiva importante aos pacientes com surdez profunda bilateral sem integridade anatômica das vias auditivas centrais. Auditory Brainstem Implants were developed to partially restore the hearing capabilities of patients without cochlear nerves bilaterally. AIM: this paper aims to discuss the clinical and surgical findings of four ABI patients. MATERIALS AND METHOD: four patients diagnosed with bilateral schwannomas received auditory brainstem implants (ABI) and had one of their tumors resected in the same surgical procedure. Clinical aspects, surgical technique, anatomic landmarks, and outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: the anatomic landmarks were identified in all four patients in relation to the foramina of Luschka. Two patients had CSF leaks. The electrodes were well positioned and hearing sensation was good enough to allow for sound recognition and assist patients perform lip reading. CONCLUSION: the outcomes observed in our patients were quite encouraging and offer great perspectives for those suffering from deep bilateral deafness and impaired central auditory pathways.

O Potencial de Ação Composto Evocado Eletricamente reflete a atividade do nervo auditivo, podendo ser registrado através dos eletrodos do implante coclear. A determinação dos elementos neurais estimuláveis pode contribuir para explicar a variabilidade de desempenho entre indivíduos implantados. OBJETIVO: Comparar o desempenho nos testes de percepção da fala entre pacientes que apresentaram e que não apresentaram potencial de ação composto evocado eletricamente no momento intra-operatório. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Estudo prospectivo no qual 100 indivíduos usuários do implante coclear Nucleus 24 foram divididos em dois grupos de acordo com a presença ou ausência do potencial de ação intra-operatório. Após 6 meses de uso do dispositivo, os resultados dos testes de percepção de fala foram comparados entre os grupos. RESULTADOS: O potencial foi observado em 72% dos pacientes. A percepção no teste de frases em formato aberto foi melhor nos indivíduos com presença de potencial (média 82,8% contra 41,0%, p = 0,005). Houve associação entre ausência do potencial e etiologia da surdez por meningite. CONCLUSÃO: Ausência de potencial neural intraoperatório esteve associada ao pior desempenho na percepção da fala e à etiologia da surdez por meningite. Por outro lado, a presença do potencial de ação intraoperatório sugere ótimo prognóstico.Electrically Evoked Compound Action Potential is a measure of synchronous cochlear nerve fibers activity elicited by electrical stimulation of the cochlear implant. The electrophysiological nerve responses may contribute to explain the variability in individual performance of cochlear implant recipients. AIM: To compare speech perception tests’ performances of cochlear implant users according to the presence or absence of intraoperative neural telemetry responses. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Prospective study design with 100 "Nucleus 24" cochlear implant users divided in two groups according to the presence or absence of intraoperative neural telemetry responses. Speech perception tests were performed after 6 months of continuous use of the device and compared among groups. RESULTS: Intraoperative action potentials were observed in 72 % of individuals. Open-set sentence test results were better in implant users who had neural telemetry responses when compared to implant users in whom this potential was absent (averages 82.8 % versus 41 %, p = 0.005). There was a strong association between post meningitis-related deafness and absence of intraoperative potentials. CONCLUSION: The absence of intraoperative neural telemetry responses was associated with worse performances in speech perception tests and meningitis as etiology of deafness. On the other hand, the presence of these potentials suggests excellent prognosis.

Summary Electrically Evoked Compound Action Potential is a measure of synchronous cochlear nerve fibers activity elicited by electrical stimulation of the cochlear implant. The electrophysiological nerve responses may contribute to explain the variability in individual performance of cochlear implant recipients. Aim To compare speech perception tests’ performances of cochlear implant users according to the presence or absence of intraoperative neural telemetry responses. Material and Method Prospective study design with 100 “Nucleus 24” cochlear implant users divided in two groups according to the presence or absence of intraoperative neural telemetry responses. Speech perception tests were performed after 6 months of continuous use of the device and compared among groups. Results Intraoperative action potentials were observed in 72 % of individuals. Open-set sentence test results were better in implant users who had neural telemetry responses when compared to implant users in whom this potential was absent (averages 82.8 % versus 41 %, p = 0.005). There was a strong association between post meningitis-related deafness and absence of intraoperative potentials. Conclusion The absence of intraoperative neural telemetry responses was associated with worse performances in speech perception tests and meningitis as etiology of deafness. On the other hand, the presence of these potentials suggests excellent prognosis.

Cochlear implant speech processors compress a wide acoustical dynamic range of sounds into a smaller electrical dynamic range. Some patients show wider electrical dynamic ranges than others and most of them have good speech perception performance. The knowledge of the average psycho-acoustical dynamic range in adults will help the audiologist program children who do not give reliable responses.This study was conducted to analyse the dynamic ranges of experienced Nucleus 22 cochlear implant users with good speech-perception and patients with poor speech-perception performances.Thirty-one maps of adult subjects with Nucleus 22 cochlear implants using the SPEAK processing strategy, in bipolar stimulation were analysed. By the time of this study, all of them had used a cochlear implant for over a year. They were divided into two groups: group 1, composed of those with good speech perception for sentences (better than 80%), and group 2, composed of those with speech perception results for sentences worse than 70%.Results showed that both dynamic ranges were wide in the two groups (average 50 units).Although dynamic ranges vary among subjects and electrodes, a lower variability was observed within the group of patients with better speech perception.

Summary A uditory brainstem implant (ABI) is an option for deaf patients who do not have the whole auditory pathways preserved. The surgery, because of its anatomical and functional complexity, requires specific training of the surgeon in an anatomy lab. Aim : To study the surgical anatomy of the auditory brainstem implant surgery. Study design : Anatomic study. Material and Method : In the present study, we dissected a fresh cadaver prepared with a dye solution injected into the arteries and intracranial veins. The location of the insertion of the ABI electrode was studied through translabyrinthine access. Results : The surgical technique used for implanting the brainstem electrode is similar to that used in the removal of vestibular schwannoma. The cochlear nucleus complex, comprising ventral and dorsal cochlear nuclei, is the optimal electrode site. The ventral cochlear nucleus is the principal nucleus for transmission of neural impulses from the 8th pair and form the main ascending route of the cochlear nerve. Neither the ventral nor the dorsal nuclei are visible during surgery and their location depends on the identification of adjacent anatomical structures. Conclusion : The region for the implantation of the electrode in the auditory brainstem implant presents anatomical landmarks that allow its easy identification during surgery.

Summary Background Due to the condition known as middle ear squeeze, scuba diving has become one of the main causes of barotrauma, and the acute form of this condition has been relatively well established. However, there are few reports available on clinical or laboratory findings in divers who practise repeated diving. The objective of the present study was to assess the otological effects of repeated dives. Method This was an observational study conducted on 19 recreational scuba divers, considered to be experienced divers according to the criteria established by the Professional Association of Dive Instructors (PADI). These divers undertook four dives per day on five consecutive days, and their tympanic membranes were assessed using tympanometry and otoscopy. Data were analysed using the χ 2 -test for trend. The level of statistical significance was set at p Results The findings suggest that multiple scuba dives over a short period of time cause damage to the structures of the ear, as evidenced by the tympanometric and otoscopic findings, which revealed cumulative effects of pressure against the tympanic membrane and within the middle ear. This condition was not observed when surface intervals exceeded 11 h. Conclusions The results suggest that extending surface intervals may offer protection against middle ear barotrauma in recreational scuba diving.

Introdução: Com o progresso tecnológico dos implantes cocleares, cada vez mais pacientes com audição residual útil são candidatos em potencial ao implante (Hodges et al., 1997). Apesar disso, não se sabe ao certo se a introdução dos eletrodos poderia destruir as estruturas auditivas envolvidas nessa audição residual. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a conservação da audição residual em pacientes usuários de implante coclear multicanal, comparando a audiometria pré e pós-operatória desses indivíduos. Forma de estudo: Clínico prospectivo randomizado. Material e método: Foram estudados 09 pacientes adultos com disacusia sensorioneural bilateral severa a profunda, usuários de Implante coclear Nucleus 22 e 1 paciente usuário de Implante Combi 40+. Resultado: No grupo estudado a conservação auditiva ocorreu em 50% dos indivíduos, quando considerado o critério de conservação de duas ou mais frequências médias (da fala) e em 80%, se for considerada audição também em frequências graves. Conclusão: A média de queda dos limiares tonais antes e após a cirurgia foi de 4 dB na orelha implantada e 0 dB na orelha contralateral.Introduction: Technological development of Cochlear Implants allowed patients with residual hearing, that's to say, severe sensorineural hearing losses, to be considered as candidates (Hodges et al., 1997). Nevertheless, it is not clear whether the electrode array insertion may destroy remaining auditory structures. Aim: The purpose of this research was to verify the maitainance of residual hearing in multichannel cochlear implant users, by the comparison between the pre and post pure tone audiometry. Study design: Clinical prospective randomized. Material and method: Nine Nucleus 22 device and one Combi 40+ device users were evaluated. Results: In this sample hearing preservation was observed in 50% of the subjects, when considering the mid frequencies (speech frequencies) criterium of preservation. On the other hand, when the whole range of frequencies (including low frequencies) was considered as a criterium the preservation was revealed in 80% of the subjects. Conclusion: The average decrement in pure tone thresholds was 4 dB in the implanted ear and 0 dB in the contralateral ear.

A new model of orbital implant, matching the low cost of acrylic implants (PMMA) with the advantages of medpor (Porex) is presented herein. The new implant model consists of a PMMA implant with a dura mater scrap adhered on its anterior face of the same diameter of the acrylic implant and a medpor snip adhered on its posterior face by sterile cyanoacrylate. Dura mater was fixed to medpor with 6.0 mono-nylon. One patient who presented previous extrusion of the implant was submitted to surgery and was evaluated on the 1st, 7th, 15th, 30th postoperative days, and 3 and 6 months after surgery when a computed tomography was performed. A good cosmetic, mobility and volume result was noted after an escleral prosthesis was adapted, with no infection, migration or extrusion of the implant until this moment. This case showed us that it is possible to use a more economic implant model with the same results of medpor (Porex).

Apresentamos um novo modelo de implante orbital unindo o baixo custo da esfera de luxite (PMMA) com as vantagens da utilização do polietileno poroso (Porex®). O novo modelo consiste de uma esfera de luxite na qual em sua face anterior foi colocado um recorte de dura-máter do mesmo diâmetro da esfera, e na face posterior um recorte de polietileno poroso foi anexado à esfera de luxite por meio de cola (Cianoacrilato estéril). A dura-máter foi fixada ao polietileno poroso por meio de suturas com fio nylon monofilamentar 6.0. Foi realizada cirurgia em um paciente que já havia tido extrusão anterior do implante em um dos olhos, sendo este avaliado em seu pós-operatório imediato, 7º, 15º, 30º dia, além de 3 e 6 meses de pós-operatório quando foi avaliado por meio de tomografia computadorizada. Observou-se bom resultado cosmético, de mobilidade e de volume após adaptação da prótese escleral, não havendo nenhum sinal de infecção, migração ou extrusão do implante até o momento. O caso nos mostrou ser possível a utilização de um implante orbital mais acessível economicamente com resultados semelhantes aos dos implantes biointegráveis.A new model of orbital implant, matching the low cost of acrylic implants (PMMA) with the advantages of medpor (Porex®) is presented herein. The new implant model consists of a PMMA implant with a dura mater scrap adhered on its anterior face of the same diameter of the acrylic implant and a medpor snip adhered on its posterior face by sterile cyanoacrylate. Dura mater was fixed to medpor with 6.0 mononylon. One patient who presented previous extrusion of the implant was submited to surgery and was evaluated on the 1st, 7th, 15th, 30th postoperative days, and 3 and 6 months after surgery when a computed tomography was performed. A good cosmetic, mobility and volume result was noted after an escleral prosthesis was adapted, with no infection, migration or extrusion of the implant until this moment. This case showed us that it is possible to use a more economic implant model with the same results of medpor (Porex®).

INTRODUÇÃO: Os tumores do nervo acústico foram reconhecidos como uma entidade clínico-patológica há pelo menos 200 anos, representando cerca de 90% das afecções do ângulo ponto cerebelar. Histologicamente derivam da bainha de Schwann, sendo constituído por células alongadas, em paliçada nos pequenos tumores. Nos grandes tumores, além do encontrado nos pequenos, temos uma degeneração cística nas áreas centrais, possivelmente por deficiência de vascularização. Estudamos retrospectivamente oitocentos e vinte e cinco (825) pacientes com diagnóstico de schwanoma vestibular submetidos à cirurgia para exérese do tumor no período de janeiro de 1984 a agosto de 2006. OBJETIVO: Avaliar sinais, sintomas e aspectos do diagnóstico clínico, audiológico, de imagem, as técnicas cirúrgicas utilizadas e suas complicação peri e pós cirúrgicas. MÉTODO: Série de casos, retrospectivo por análise prontuário de todos os pacientes submetidos a este tipo de cirurgia no período. RESULTADO E CONCLUSÃO: Hipoacusia é o primeiro sintoma da presença da doença em quase a totalidade dos casos, o tamanho do tumor não é proporcional ao comprometimento do limiar auditivo, as técnicas empregadas foram seguras quanto à preservação da função facial, a via retrolabiríntica demonstrou ser de utilidade nos tumores pequenos com 50% de preservação de audição. INTRODUCTION: Acoustic nerve tumors have been recognized as a clinico-pathologic entity for at least 200 years, and they represent 90% of cerebellopontine angle diseases. Histologically, the tumors are derived from Schwann cells of the myelin sheath, with smaller tumors consisting of elongated palisade cells, while in large tumors, cystic degeneration can be found in the central areas, possibly due to deficient vascularization. We retrospectively reviewed 825 cases of vestibular schwannomas, reported between January 1984 and August 2006, in which the patients underwent surgery to remove the tumor. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate signs, symptoms, aspects of clinical diagnosis, including the results of audiological and imaging studies, and surgical techniques and complications. METHODS: A retrospective chart review. The medical records of all patients undergoing surgical treatment for schwannoma during the period indicated were reviewed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Hearing loss was the first symptom reported in almost all cases, and tumor size was not proportional to the impairment of the auditory threshold. The surgical techniques allowed safe preservation of facial function. In particular, the retrolabyrinthine route proved useful in small tumors, with 50% preservation of hearing.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate Auditory Steady-State Responses (ASSR) at high intensities in pediatric cochlear implant candidates and to compare the results to behavioral test responses.Method: This prospective study evaluated 54 children with severe-to-profound hearing loss, aged from 3 to 72 months, between January and December 2011. All had absent ABR and OAE responses. ASSR were evoked using binaural single frequency stimuli at 110 dBHL with a 10 dB-down seeking procedure. ASSR and behavioral test results were compared.Results: Forty-two subjects completed both ASSR and behavioral evaluation. In 13 children behavioral tests were not available, 1 had inconclusive ASSR. Among 42 children with absent ABR and OAE, 11 (26.1%) had bilateral ASSR, 10 correlated well to behavioral results. Four (9.5%) showed unilateral responses in at least 2 frequencies, all confirmed by behavioral results. Among 27 subjects with absent ASSR, 8 had no behavioral responses; 12 had responses only in low freq...

Devido aos avanços na tecnologia dos implantes cocleares e das estratégias de processamento, indivíduos com surdez grave a profunda puderam ouvir sons e reconhecer fala em diferentes graus. A variabilidade nos resultados audiológicos em portadores de surdez pós-lingual tem sido grande e a indicação para o implante coclear tem se estendido e inclui uma população cada vez maior. OBJETIVO: Avaliar em quais pacientes portadores de surdez pós-lingual o implante coclear traz benefício auditivo superior ao da prótese auditiva convencional. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: consulta a artigos científicos por busca no banco de dados SciELO, Cochrane, MEDLINE e LILACS-BIREME. Foram selecionadas publicações com força de evidência A ou B até a data da investigação, que comparassem aparelhos de amplificação sonora e implante coclear na população com surdez pós-lingual. Desenho do Estudo: revisão sistemática. RESULTADOS: Entre os 2169 artigos consultados, 11 trabalhos se mostram pertinentes ao tema e apresentaram força de evidência B. Seis estudos são do tipo coorte prospectivo, quatro são estudos transversais e um ensaio clinico. CONCLUSÃO: A avaliação dos benefícios obtidos por portadores de surdez pós-lingual reabilitados com o uso de implante coclear mostra que este dispositivo é efetivo e apresenta melhores resultados quando comparado aos aparelhos de amplificação sonora individual. The technological advances in cochlear implants and processing strategies have enabled subjects affected by severe to profound hearing loss to hear sounds and recognize speech in various different degrees. The variability of hearing outcomes in subjects with post-lingual deafness has been significant and cochlear implant indications have been extended to include an ever larger population. OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to look into the groups of post-lingual deafness patients to find where cochlear implants have yielded better outcomes than conventional hearing aids. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Review the literature available on databases SciELO, Cochrane, MEDLINE, and LILACS-BIREME. The publications selected for review were rated as A or B on evidence strength on the day of the review. Their authors analyzed and compared hearing aids and cochlear implants in populations of post-lingually deaf patients. Study Design: Systematic review. RESULTS: Eleven out of the 2,169 papers searched were found to be pertinent to the topic and were rated B for evidence strength. Six studies were prospective cohort trials, four were cross-sectional studies and one was a clinical trial. CONCLUSION: The assessment done on the benefits yielded by post-lingually deaf subjects from cochlear implants showed that they are effective and provide for better results than conventional hearing aids.