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This study aimed to assess the durability of audiological outcomes after radiation and surgery in the management of vestibular schwannoma.Retrospective review.Tertiary academic center.Adults with sporadic vestibular schwannoma and serviceable hearing at the time of intervention.Gamma Knife, middle cranial fossa, or retrosigmoid approaches.Pure-tone audiometry and speech discrimination scores.Postintervention serviceable hearing (class A/B) was preserved in 70.4% (n = 130; mean follow-up, 3.31 yr; range, 0-15.25 yr). Of the 49 patients treated with radiation, 19 (39.6%) had serviceable hearing at last follow-up, compared with 38 (46.9% of 81) who underwent retrosigmoid (n = 36 [44.4%]) and middle cranial fossa (n = 45 [55.6%]) approaches (odds ratio [OR], 1.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.67-2.82; p = 0.47). A matched analysis by age, tumor volume, and preintervention hearing (n = 38) also found no difference in hearing preservation (HP) likelihood between surgery and radiation (OR, 2.33; 95% CI, 0.24-35.91; p = 0.59). After initial HP, 4 (9.5%) surgical versus 10 (37.0%) radiated patients subsequently lost residual serviceable (A/B) hearing (OR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.06-0.69; p = 0.01) at a mean 3.74 ± 3.58 and 4.73 ± 3.83 years after surgery and radiation, respectively. Overall, 5- and 10-year HP rates (A/B) after initially successful HP surgery were 84.4 and 63.0%, respectively. However, survival estimates declined to 48.9% at 5 years and 32.7% at 10 years when patients with immediate postoperative serviceable hearing loss were also included, which were comparable to radiation-HP rates at 5 and 10 years of 28.0 and 14.2%, respectively ( p = 0.75).After vestibular schwannoma intervention, overall HP was similar between radiated and surgical cohorts. However, when successful, surgical approaches offered more durable hearing outcomes at long-term follow-up.

To assess endoscopic and microscopic ossiculoplasty audiometric outcomes.Retrospective review.Tertiary academic center.Adult patients who underwent ossiculoplasty with either partial ossicular replacement prosthesis (PORP) or total ossicular replacement prosthesis (TORP) from 2010 to 2019 with at least 1 year of audiometric follow-up were included.Endoscopic or microscopic ossiculoplasty.Postoperative air-bone gap (ABG) after at least 1 year.A total of 198 patients, 53.5% female, and a median age of 47.5 years, met inclusion criteria. 64.1% of patients were reconstructed with a PORP, and 31.8% were reconstructed using an endoscopic approach. The median audiometric follow-up was 27 months. The median postoperative ABG was 16.9 dB overall, 15.6 dB for PORP reconstruction, and 19.4 dB for TORP reconstruction (PORP versus TORP, p = 0.002). For TORP reconstructions, the median ABG for both endoscopic and microscopic TORP was 19.4 dB ( p = 0.92). For PORP reconstructions, the median ABG for endoscopic PORP was 12.3 dB compared with 16.3 dB for microscopic PORP ( p = 0.02). Using multivariate linear regression to predict postoperative PORP ABG, and controlling for age, prior ossiculoplasty, middle ear mucosal disease (granulation, fibrosis, polyposis), middle ear atelectasis, myringitis, contralateral middle ear disease, and use of byte prostheses, endoscopic PORP reconstruction was associated with improvement in ABG over the microscopic approach by 4.4 dB ( p = 0.04).For PORP ossiculoplasty procedures, endoscopic ossiculoplasty is associated with improved postoperative ABG compared with microscopic ossiculoplasty.

To compare closure rates and hearing outcomes of microscopic and endoscopic tympanoplasty in pediatric patients.Retrospective chart review.Tertiary university medical center.Pediatric patients who underwent tympanoplasty surgery by a fellowship-trained neurotologist between 2010 and 2019 with a minimum of 2 months of follow-up, a tympanic membrane perforation, and no preoperative cholesteatoma.Transcanal endoscopic tympanoplasty or microscopic tympanoplasty (MT) surgery.The primary outcome is postoperative closure of the tympanic membrane perforation, assessed using otomicroscopy at the last follow-up appointment. Secondary outcomes include operative time and changes in the air-bone gap (ABG) and pure-tone average (PTA).Two hundred eleven tympanoplasty operations were analyzed: 121 in the transcanal endoscopic ear surgery (TEES) group and 90 in the MT group. Tympanic membrane closure rates were no different between the two groups (TEES, 82.6%; MT, 88.9%; p = 0.24), and no significant association was found on multivariable analysis (TEES: odds ratio, 0.8; p = 0.61). Both groups showed improvements in the 4-month PTA and ABG and the 12-month PTA, but the 12-month ABG only improved in the TEES group ( p0.01). The TEES group had a shorter average operative time (109.8 versus 123.5 min; p = 0.03) and less need for a postauricular incision (2.5% versus 93.3%; p0.01).In pediatric tympanoplasty, TEES gives similar membrane closure and hearing outcomes as the microscopic technique, with less operative time and less need for a postauricular incision.

To review and summarize current updates in the epidemiology, natural history, and treatment strategies of vestibular schwannoma (VS). The incidence of VS has increased in recent decades, which may be due in part to improved detection but may also be an actual biological shift. Based on our improving understanding of VS’s natural history, treatment strategy has shifted toward primary observation. Based on several large studies, we can predict which VS are at the greatest risk of growth and which patients are at risk of losing serviceable hearing. Measurement of tumor volume is a new tool that is more sensitive than linear axial measurements, although the clinical implications are still under investigation. Advances in our understanding of VS’s natural history improve our ability to counsel patients on when to pursue intervention and which modality is most appropriate on an individual basis.

Objective To address variance in clinical care surrounding sporadic vestibular schwannoma, a modified Delphi study was performed to establish a general framework to approach vestibular schwannoma care. A multidisciplinary panel of experts was established with deliberate representation from key stakeholder societies. External validity of the final statements was assessed through an online survey of registered attendees of the 8th Quadrennial International Conference on Vestibular Schwannoma. Study design Modified Delphi method. Methods The panel consisted of 16 vestibular schwannoma experts (8 neurotology and 8 neurosurgery) and included delegates representing the AAOHNSF, AANS/CNS tumor section, ISRS, and NASBS. The modified Delphi method encompassed a four-step process, comprised of one prevoting round to establish a list of focus areas and three subsequent voting rounds to successively refine individual statements and establish levels of consensus. Thresholds for achieving moderate consensus, at ≥67% agreement, and strong consensus, at ≥80% agreement, were determined a priori. All voting was performed anonymously via the Qualtrics online survey tool and full participation from all panel members was required before procession to the next voting round. Results Through the Delphi process, 103 items were developed encompassing hearing preservation (N = 49), tumor control and imaging surveillance (N = 20), preferred treatment (N = 24), operative considerations (N = 4), and complications (N = 6). As a result of item refinement, moderate (4%) or strong (96%) consensus was achieved in all 103 final statements. Seventy-nine conference registrants participated in the online survey to assess external validity. Among these survey respondents, moderate (N = 21, 20%) or strong (N = 73, 71%) consensus was achieved in 94 of 103 (91%) statements, and no consensus was reached in 9 (9%). Of the four items with moderate consensus by the expert panel, one had moderate consensus by the conference participants and three had no consensus. Conclusion This modified Delphi study on sporadic vestibular schwannoma codifies 100% consensus within a multidisciplinary expert panel and is further supported by 91% consensus among an external group of clinicians who regularly provide care for patients with vestibular schwannoma. These final 103 statements address clinically pragmatic items that have direct application to everyday patient care. This document is not intended to define standard of care or drive insurance reimbursement, but rather to provide a general framework to approach vestibular schwannoma care for providers and patients.

Objective The aim of this study is to determine if pretreatment growth of sporadic vestibular schwannomas (VS) predicts postradiosurgery response. Methods This study was a retrospective chart review at a tertiary referral center of patients with VS that had at least two pretreatment magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies at least 6 months apart and underwent Gamma Knife radiosurgery with a minimum of 14 months postradiosurgery imaging surveillance. Tumor linear measurements and volumetric segmentation were assessed before and after radiosurgery. The main outcome measure was persistent enlargement following radiosurgery, defined as 2 mm enlargement in greatest axial diameter or 20% enlargement in volume without size regression. Results Thirty-five patients met the inclusion criteria. Patients were observed for median pre- and posttreatment intervals of 29.5 and 40.6 months, respectively. Median dose to the tumor margin was 13 Gy. Postradiosurgery enlargement occurred in six (17.1%) and nine (25.7%) patients based on linear and volumetric enlargement definitions, respectively. Pseudoprogression—defined as tumor enlargement—followed by linear or volumetric regression that occurred in 34.3% of tumors, reaching a maximum size at a median time of 6.3 months (3.3–8.4) postradiosurgery. When controlling for age, gender, and radiation dose, preradiosurgery tumor volume less than 0.3 cm3 (odds ratio [OR]: 59.7, p = 0.012) and preradiosurgery tumor diameter growth rate greater than or equal to 2.5 mm/year (OR: 19.3, p = 0.045) were associated with persistent postradiosurgery tumor enlargement. Conclusion Smaller pretreatment tumor volume and greater linear tumor growth rates were associated with postradiosurgery tumor enlargement when controlling for age, gender, and radiation dose. Level of Evidence This study indicates that the level of evidence is V.

Objective We sought to examine the intra- and interobserver variability in measuring the cochlear duct length (CDL) from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images versus computed tomography (CT) images using an otological surgical planning software that uses measurements of the basal turn diameter and cochlear width to estimate the CDL. Patients Twenty-one adult cochlear implant patients with preoperative MRI and CT images. Intervention Three fellowship-trained neurotologists served as the raters in the study. One rater measured the CDL using preoperative CT scans to serve as the benchmark. Two of the raters measured the CDL on preoperative MRI scans. One rater also remeasured the scans using MRI images after a period of 1 week to assess intraobserver variability. Main outcome measure Intraclass correlational coefficients were calculated to assess for intra- and interobserver agreement. Results The mean CDL measured from the CT scans was 32.7 ± 2.0 mm (range 29.4 - 37.6 mm). The mean difference between the raters when measuring the CDL using MRI scans was -0.15 ± 2.1 mm (range -3.2 to 4.3 mm). The intraclass correlational coefficients for inter-rater reliability of CDL determination using MRI scans was judged as fair to excellent (0.68; 95% CI 0.41-0.84). The intrarater reliability of CDL determination using MRI scans was judged at fair to excellent (0.73; 95% CI 0.491-0.866). Conclusion We demonstrate that a validated otological surgical planning software for estimating the CDL preoperatively had comparable performance using MRI scans versus the gold-standard CT scans.

Stapes surgery is challenging yet rewarding hearing restoration procedure. Endoscopic ear surgery is a relatively new technique for managing otologic pathology. Stapes surgery presents a unique challenge when performed via a transcanal endoscopic approach because the surgeon is confined to using one hand for management of the footplate and placing the prosthesis. Outcomes have been published for endoscopic stapes surgery, with several studies comparing endoscopic with the traditional microscopic approach. Several authors noted the need for less bone removal and less pain after endoscopic stapes surgery. Complication rates following stapes surgery did not seem to differ whether the endoscope or the microscope was used. Nonetheless, the overall audiometric results appear to be equivalent. Endoscopic stapes surgery has several potential benefits including visualizing unique anatomic variants, improved visualization of the anterior crus, the need for less bone removal in the setting of malleus fixation, and to date equivalent hearing outcomes.

Objective To analyze the underlying etiologies, presenting characteristics, and diagnostic workup of patients with pulsatile tinnitus (PT). Study design Retrospective review. Setting Tertiary referral center. Patients All patients who received a diagnostic workup for PT from January 01, 2015 and May 31, 2020. Main outcome measure Diagnostic rate of imaging studies. Results Among 251 patients with PT, the most common etiologies included neoplasms (16%), arteriopathies (14%), venopathies (8.5%), middle/inner ear pathology (9.0%), or idiopathic (50%). Patients with identifiable etiologies of PT more often had hypertension, obesity, vision changes, ipsilateral asymmetric hearing loss, or an abnormal otologic examination. Only 18.5% of patients without those characteristics had an identifiable etiology of PT. The most commonly ordered diagnostic studies were magnetic resonance imaging with contrast (n = 146), MR angiography (MRA) (n = 105), CT angiography (CTA) (n = 84), computed tomography (CT) without contrast (n = 76), and MR Venogram (MRV) (n = 62). Magnetic resonance imaging with contrast and CT without contrast preferentially identified patients with nonvascular etiologies of PT, while MRA and CTA identified patients with vascular etiologies of PT. MRV did not demonstrate high diagnostic rate for either type of PT. No difference in diagnostic rate was found between MR-based or CT-based imaging. Conclusions Patients who lack a history of hypertension, obesity, vision changes, ipsilateral asymmetric hearing loss, or an abnormal otologic examination are less likely to have an identifiable cause for PT. In cases where a specific etiology was identified, MR-based imaging (MRI with contrast and MRA) or CT-based imaging (CT without contrast and CTA) were equally efficacious in identifying that etiology. MR-based imaging is preferred for neoplasms, while CT-based imaging is preferred for semicircular canal dehiscence.

Objective: To identify demographic predictors of patients undergoing cochlear implantation evaluation and surgery. Methods: Consecutive adult patients between 2009 and 2018 who underwent cochlear implantation evaluation at a university cochlear implantation program were retrospectively identified to determine (1) cochlear implantation qualification rate and (2) pursuit of surgery rate with respect to age, gender, race, primary spoken language, marital status, insurance type, and distance to the cochlear implantation center. Results: A total of 823 cochlear implantation evaluations were analyzed. Overall, 76.3% of patients qualified for cochlear implantation and 61.5% of these patients pursued surgery. Age was the only independent predictor for cochlear implantation qualification, such that, for each year younger, the odds of qualifying for cochlear implantation increased by 2.5% (OR 0.98; 95% CI: 0.96-0.99). Age, race, marital status, and insurance type were each independent predictors of the decision to pursue surgery. The odds of pursuing surgery increased by 2.8% for each year younger (OR 1.03; 95% CI: 1.01-1.05). Compared to White patients, non-Whites were half as likely to pursue surgery (OR 0.47; 95% CI: 0.25-0.88). Single (OR 0.49; 95% CI: 0.26-0.94) and widowed patients (OR 0.46; 95% CI: 0.23-0.95) were about half as likely to pursue surgery as compared to married patients. Patients with military insurance were 13 times more likely to pursue surgery as compared to patients with Medicare (OR 13.0; 95% CI: 1.67-101.4). Conclusion: Younger age is an independent predictor for a higher cochlear implantation qualification rate, suggesting the possibility for delayed candidacy referral. Rate of surgical pursuit in qualified cochlear implantation candidates is lower for racial minorities, single and widowed patients, and older patients.

OBJECTIVE Identify features on computed tomography (CT) that predict mastoidectomy conversion (MC) during transcanal endoscopic ear surgery (TEES). STUDY DESIGN Retrospective case-control. SETTING University otology practice. PATIENTS Consecutive patients with cholesteatoma. INTERVENTION TEES cholesteatoma dissection versus those requiring MC. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Antrum opacification, depth of scutum involvement, and erosion of the mastoid trabeculae, ossicular chain, and tegmen were evaluated. Univariable and multivariable regression analysis was performed. The Antrum-Malleus-Tegmen (AMT) score was created using receiver operating characteristic curves to assess feasibility of performing TEES for cholesteatoma dissection. RESULTS There were 39 TEES and 19 MC cases. Groups had similar age (median 28.5 yr), gender, laterality, and revision surgery status. Median surgical time for MC cases was longer than TEES (231 min vs. 171 min, p

Objective:Compare experts’ ability to differentiate malignant and benign causes of facial nerve paralysis (FNP) using the initial presenting magnetic resonance image (MRI) for each patient.Methods:This retrospective case-controlled study compared MRIs for 9 patients with a malignant cause for FNP, 8 patients with Bell’s palsy, and 9 cochlear implant patients serving as controls. The initial presenting MRI for each condition was used such that raters were evaluating real-world rather than optimal studies. Three blinded expert raters independently evaluated each segment of the facial nerve for abnormalities, provided a diagnosis, and graded MRI quality. Cohen’s and Light’s kappa were used to calculate interrater reliability and overall index of agreement, respectively.Results:MRI protocols for the malignancy group were universally suboptimal. There was poor agreement among raters for abnormalities of the facial nerve along the brainstem (0.13), geniculate (0.10), tympanic segment (0.12), and mastoid segment (0.13); moderate agreement along the cisternal segment (0.58) and internal auditory canal (0.55); and fair agreement along the labyrinthine segment (0.26) and extratemporal segment (0.36). Agreement regarding final diagnosis was fair (0.37) when compared to the true diagnosis. There were 2 false negative interpretations (failure to correctly identify malignancy) and 1 false positive interpretation.Conclusion:MRI for FNP is often initially performed with an incorrect protocol and thus may fail to reliably differentiate neoplastic from inflammatory FNP even when interpreted by experienced clinicians. Nevertheless, expert readers correctly diagnosed 87.5% of malignant causes of FNP despite these limitations.

To compare endoscopic and microscopic pediatric stapes surgery.Case series with chart review.Two academic otology practices.Surgical and hearing outcomes were compared for consecutive children (18 years) undergoing microscopic and endoscopic stapes surgery. The main outcome measure was closure of the air-bone gap (ABG) to ≤20 dB.Twenty-two endoscopic surgeries (17 stapedectomies, 4 stapedotomies, and 1 stapes mobilization) and 52 microscopic surgeries (30 stapedectomies, 19 stapedotomies, and 3 stapes mobilizations) were performed. Patient demographics, history of ipsilateral middle ear surgery, and revision stapes surgery status were similar. The most common diagnosis for the endoscopic group and microscopic group were congenital stapes footplate fixation (45.5%) and juvenile otosclerosis (46.2%), respectively. Preoperative ABGs in the endoscopic (37.7 dB) and microscopic (32.8 dB) groups (Pediatric endoscopic stapes surgery is safe and hearing outcomes are similar to the microscopic approach when performed by experienced endoscopic ear surgeons.

Introduction Bevacizumab offers a medical treatment that may slow the growth of vestibular schwannomas (VS) and possibly preserve hearing in patients with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). This study aims to investigate the effect of long-term bevacizumab treatment on VS progression. Methods Demographic, clinical, audiometric, and radiographic data were collected from the medical records of NF2 patients treated with bevacizumab at a tertiary medical center. Results Eleven tumors from seven NF2 patients treated with bevacizumab were analyzed. The median age was 17 years (range: 12–47 years). Median bevacizumab treatment time was 33 months (range: 12–74 months). Of five patients with serviceable hearing pretreatment, one (20%) maintained serviceable hearing during bevacizumab therapy. Significantly slower growth rates for both tumor diameters and tumor volumes were identified during active bevacizumab treatment. Median tumor diameters and volumes during active bevacizumab treatment were 0 cm/year (range: –0.13–0.17 cm/year) and 0.1 cm3/year (range: –0.92–0.41), compared with 0.37 cm/year (range: 0–1.5 cm/year, p = 0.0011) and 1.38 cm3/year (range: 0.013–3.74), respectively, without bevacizumab treatment (p = 0.0263). Reduced tumor progression was noted with bevacizumab treatment utilizing both linear greatest diameter (hazard ratio 0.16, p = 0.006) and segmentation volumes (hazard ratio 0.15, p = 0.023). Complications of bevacizumab treatment included fatigue (43%), nausea/vomiting (43%), hypertension (43%), epistaxis (29%), and proteinuria (29%). One subject had a cerebrovascular accident detected on screening magnetic resonance imaging without symptoms or neurological sequelae. Discussion Bevacizumab may reduce tumor growth rate and the risk of progression based on both volumetric and linear measurements.

The aim of this study is to investigate facial nerve outcomes after microsurgical resection in neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) compared to sporadic tumors.Single institutional retrospective chart review.Tertiary referral center.All adult patients with NF2 vestibular schwannoma (VS) or sporadic VS who underwent microsurgical resection from 2008 to 2019 with preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 1 year of postsurgical follow-up were included. The primary outcome measure was postoperative House-Brackmann (HB) facial nerve score measured at first postoperative visit and after at least 10 months.In total, 161 sporadic VSs and 14 NF2 VSs met inclusion criteria. Both median tumor diameter (NF2, 33.5 mm vs sporadic, 24 mm,Tumor volume3 cm

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) gusher encountered during cochlear implantation are most commonly encountered in the setting of an inner ear abnormality. Repair of the gusher is essential to prevent CSF egress postoperatively and to decrease the risk of meningitis. Various methods to repair a CSF gusher have been described, including tight packing of the cochleostomy with fascia, lumbar drainage, and Eustachian tube packing with ear canal overclosure. We describe a novel and simple technique using a fascia ring placed around the cochlear implantation electrode (Cochlear Corporation, CI522) as a means to treat CSF gusher. The fascia is slid down the electrode after insertion, allowing circumferential coverage of the defect. The following video will provide an overview of patients at risk for CSF gusher and demonstrate the technique described above.SDC video link: http://links.lww.com/MAO/B52.

Objectives Neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) is an autosomal dominant condition presenting with bilateral vestibular schwannomas and other neural tumors. Vocal fold paralysis (VFP) in NF2 patients is typically due to compression of the vagus nerve at the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) or vagal injury during tumor surgery. Idiopathic VFP in these patients has not been reported. Methods Case series. Results A 15 year old female with NF2 presenting with dyspnea and dysphonia was found to have left VFP and right vocal fold paresis narrowing her glottic airway. She had no history of surgery for CPA tumors, and bilateral vestibular schwannomas were stable on imaging and not compressing the vagus nerves. Symptoms improved with voice and respiratory retraining therapy. She remains under close observation and may require surgical intervention to relieve glottic airway obstruction should her right vocal fold become immobile. A 14-year-old male with NF2 presenting with new onset dysphonia was found to have left VFP. He had undergone surgery for a right facial neuroma and right eye enucleation 7 years prior. His left CPA tumors were stable on imaging and not compressing the vagus nerve. He has undergone two in-office injection laryngoplasties and voice therapy with improvement in dysphonia. He will be a candidate for medialization thyroplasty as an adult if his right vocal fold remains mobile. Conclusions Currently there are no reports of idiopathic VFP in patients with NF2. Given these patients’ young age and the progressive nature of NF2, they are managed with temporary interventions and observation.

Objective: To identify the rate of cochlear implantation (CI) re-implantation and assess audiologic outcomes. Methods: Demographic, audiometric, radiographic, and clinical data were collected from the medical records of the first 834 pediatric patients (age < 18) who underwent CI at a tertiary-care center. Results: Reviewing the first 834 pediatric patients who underwent CI between 1986 and 2013, 33 (4%) children have required re-implantation. Seven (0.8%) of these required a second re-implantation, for a total of 40 total revision surgeries (4.8%) and 21.1% of patients who underwent revision required multiple re-implantations. The mean age at initial CI was 3.5 years old, with identification of the failure an average of 2.7 years later (range, 0.1-10.1 years). The most common indications for re-implantation CI were unknown etiology (58%), vendor recall (18%), and trauma (9%). Twenty-three (88.5%) of the 26 patients who underwent only one re-implantation surgery achieved a complete insertion with both procedures. Eleven (91.7%) of 12 patients who had open set speech after their initial procedure maintained this after re-implantation surgery. Eight (38.1%) of 21 patients who did not have open-set speech after their initial implantation achieved open set speech with CI re-implantation. Conclusion: CI re-implantation is not common in the pediatric population. However, given the time-sensitive nature of speech/language development in children, with the right indications, CI re-implantation can be performed safely without compromising audiologic outcomes. However, re-implanted patients have an increased risk they will require re-implantation again in the future.

OBJECTIVE To elucidate the impact of hearing loss on patient health literacy. STUDY DESIGN Prospective, cross-sectional study. SETTING Academic otology practice at a university hospital. PATIENTS Consecutive, adult, English-speaking patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Inadequate health literacy, defined as a composite score of less than or equal to nine on the brief health literacy screen (BHLS), was compared with patient hearing data utilizing the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) hearing classification. Secondary outcome measures included comparisons of inadequate BHLS scores according to patient demographic and clinical information. RESULTS There were 300 consecutive adult (>18 years old) patients evaluated with the BHLS at a university otology practice between February and March 2019. The median patient age was 60-years (range, 18-91 yr), a slight majority (160, 53.3%) were women, and most patients were White (241, 86.7%) and non-Hispanic (260, 91.6%). Overall, 9.7% of patients were found to have inadequate health literacy. Men had higher rates of inadequate health literacy as compared with women (13.6% versus 6.3%, odds ratio [OR] = 2.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-5.25). Audiometric data was available for 284 (95%) patients, of which 235 (82.7%) had class A or B hearing and 49 (17.3%) had class C or D hearing. Patients with Class C or D hearing had a lower median composite BHLS score compared with patients with Class A or B hearing (11.6 versus 13.6, p

OBJECTIVE To explore the relationship between tumor size and facial nerve outcomes following vestibular schwannoma (VS) resection. STUDY DESIGN Single institutional retrospective chart review of all adult patients with untreated sporadic VS who underwent surgical resection from 2008 to 2018 with preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 1 year of follow-up. The primary outcome measure was facial nerve outcome as assessed by the House-Brackmann facial nerve grading system. RESULTS One hundred sixty-seven patients, 54.5% female, with a median age of 49 years (20-76 years), were identified who underwent VS resection. Surgical resection was performed by translabyrinthine (76.7%), middle cranial fossa (14.4%), retrosigmoid (7.2%), and transpromontorial (1.8%) approaches. The median tumor diameter and volume were 25.3 mm (range: 4.1-47.1 mm) and 3.17 cm3 (range: 0.01-30.6 cm3 ), respectively. The median follow-up was 24.2 months (range: 12-114.2 months). Gross total resection was performed in 79% of cases, with residual tumor identified on MRI in 17% of cases. For patients with tumors 3 cm3 (univariate logistic regression OR = 2.9, P = .03). Tumor volume >3 cm3 was predictive of facial weakness on multivariate regression analysis (OR = 7.4, P = .02) when controlling for surgical approach, internal auditory canal extension, anterior extension, age, gender, and extent of resection. CONCLUSIONS Tumor volume >3 cm3 is associated with worse facial nerve outcomes 12 months following surgical resection. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV Laryngoscope, 131:E1328-E1334, 2021.

Objectives/hypothesis To describe the presentation, surgical findings, and outcomes in patients with spontaneous temporal bone cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistulas and encephaloceles. Study design Retrospective chart review. Methods A retrospective chart review of patients treated for a spontaneous temporal bone CSF fistula and/or encephalocele over a 10-year period was performed. Data recorded included demographic information, presenting signs and symptoms, radiographic and laboratory studies, surgical approach, materials used for repair, surgical complications, and successful closure of the CSF fistula. Results Fifty patients were identified. Five patients underwent bilateral procedures, for a total of 55 surgical repairs. Thirty-seven of the patients were female, with a mean age of 57.2 years. Seventy percent of patients were obese, with a mean body mass index of 35.0 kg/m2 . The most common presentation was tympanostomy tube otorrhea (68%). Seven patients (14%) presented with meningitis. The middle fossa craniotomy approach was used in 87.3% of cases. Hydroxyapatite bone cement was used in 82.4% of cases. There were four surgical complications: seizure, mastoid infection, tympanic membrane retraction, and a delayed subdural hematoma. There were five persistent or recurrent CSF fistulas that underwent successful revision surgery. Conclusions Spontaneous CSF fistulas are most common in obese females and should be suspected with a chronic middle ear effusion, persistent otorrhea after tympanostomy tube placement, or in patients with a history of meningitis. The middle fossa craniotomy approach with the use of hydroxyapatite bone cement has a high success rate with a low incidence of postoperative complications. Level of evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 128:2170-2177, 2018.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cochlear malformations may be be subtle on imaging studies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the angle and depth of the lateral second interscalar ridge or notch in ears without sensorineural hearing loss (normal ears) and compare them with ears that have a documented incomplete type II partition malformation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The second interscalar ridge notch angle and depth were measured on MR imaging in normal ears by a single experienced neuroradiologist. The images of normal and incomplete partition II malformation ears were then randomly mixed for 2 novice evaluators to measure both the second interscalar ridge notch angle and depth in a blinded manner. For the mixed group, interobserver agreement was calculated, normal and abnormal ear measurements were compared, and receiver operating characteristic curves were generated. RESULTS: The 94 normal ears had a mean second interscalar ridge angle of 80.86° ± 11.4° and depth of 0.54 ± 0.14 mm with the 98th percentile for an angle of 101° and a depth of 0.3 mm. In the mixed group, agreement between the 2 readers was excellent, with significant differences for angle and depth found between normal and incomplete partition type II ears for angle and depth on average (P < .001). Receiver operating characteristic cutoffs for delineating normal from abnormal ears were similar for both readers (depth, 0.31/0.34 mm; angle, 114°/104°). CONCLUSIONS: A measured angle of >114° and a depth of the second interscalar ridge notch of ≤0.31 mm suggest the diagnosis of incomplete partition type II malformation and scala communis. These measurements can be accurately made by novice readers.

Objectives Lateral temporal bone resection (LTBR) has traditionally been performed en bloc in accordance with oncologic principles. Occasionally, this is not possible due to a low tegmen or lateralized vasculature. We sought to determine if outcomes of piecemeal and en bloc LTBR are comparable. Study Design Retrospective review. Setting Two academic medical centers. Subjects and Methods Multi-institutional retrospective cohort study. Current Procedural Terminology codes were used to identify patients with T1 to T3 squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal (EAC) who underwent LTBR from 2005 to 2015. Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed to compare total survival between the 2 treatment approaches. Pairwise comparisons were performed using χ2 and Fisher exact tests (significance at P = .05), as appropriate. Results Twenty-five patients were identified. Ten patients underwent en bloc LTBR; 15 underwent piecemeal LTBR. Median follow-up time was 11 months (range, 1-60 months). There was not a significant difference in overall survival between en bloc (38.9 months; 95% confidence interval [CI], 22.7-55.2) compared to piecemeal (37.5 months; 95% CI, 21.1-53.9) procedures ( P = .519). Estimates of disease-free survival also did not reveal statistically significant differences: estimated mean disease-free survival was 48.1 months (95% CI, 33.7-62.6) in en bloc patients and 32.5 months (95% CI, 17.1-47.8) in piecemeal patients ( P = .246). Conclusion These data suggest that piecemeal resection can be considered for cases of squamous cell carcinoma involving the external auditory canal where anatomic constraints preclude a safe en bloc resection. Larger studies or studies with a longer follow-up time may provide improved insight into survival comparisons.

Objective A significant proportion of children with congenital hearing loss who are candidates for cochlear implants (CIs) may have inner ear malformations (IEMs). Surgical and speech outcomes following CI in these children have not been widely reported. Methods The charts of children who were evaluated for a CI between 1/1/1986 and 12/31/2014 at a university-based tertiary level pediatric cochlear implant center were reviewed. Principal inclusion criteria included (i) age 1–18 years, (ii) history of bilateral severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss, and (iii) limited benefit from binaural amplification. Exclusion criteria included (i) underlying diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorder and (ii) lack of follow up for speech assessment if a CI was performed. The following outcome measures were reviewed: (i) imaging findings with magnetic resonance imaging or high resolution computed tomography, (ii) intraoperative complications, and (iii) speech perception categorized as the ability to perceive closed set, open set, or none. Results The prevalence of IEMs was 27% (102 of 381), of which 79% were bilateral. Cochlear dysplasia accounted for 30% (40 of 136) of the anomalies. Seventy-eight of the 102 patients received a CI (78%). Surgery was noted to be challenging in 24% (19 of 78), with a perilymphatic gusher being the most common intraoperative finding. Cochlear dysplasia, vestibular dysplasia and cochlear nerve hypoplasia were associated with poor speech perception (open OR closed set speech recognition scores, 0–23%), although the outcomes in children with enlarged vestibular aqueduct were similar to those of children with normal inner ear anatomy (65%). Conclusions Cochlear implantation is safe in children with IEMs. However, the speech perception outcomes are notably below those of patients with normal anatomy, with the exception of when an enlarged vestibular aqueduct is present.

Background: Use/misuse of the opioid combination hydrocodone-acetaminophen has been associated with permanent hearing loss. Although reports have been rare, this potential effect can have significant detrimental effect on patients’ overall quality of life. To date, the ototoxic effect of hydrocodone alone has not been systematically investigated. Objective: In this report, we aimed to evaluate the potential ototoxicity of a novel, singleentity, once-daily, extended-release hydrocodone tablet (Hysingla® ER; HYD). Study Design: Clinical study. Setting: Audiology clinics in US. Methods: Results from 1207 patients in two phase 3 clinical studies were evaluated: A placebo-controlled study with an enriched enrollment, randomized withdrawal design in patients with chronic low back pain, and an open-label, long-term, safety study in patients with chronic nonmalignant and non-neuropathic pain. Comprehensive audiologic assessments (comprising pure-tone air-conduction audiometry in the conventional [0.25-8 kHz] and ultra-high [10-16 kHz] frequencies, pure-tone boneconduction audiometry, tympanometry, speech reception thresholds, and word recognition) were conducted at baseline and end-of-studies; air-conduction audiometry was conducted periodically during the studies. All audiologic assessments were performed in audiology clinics in the United States by licensed audiologists. The primary endpoint was changes from baseline in pure-tone air-conduction thresholds in the conventional frequencies during the studies. These trials are registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, identifiers NCT01400139 and NCT01452529 Results: During the studies, mean changes from baseline in air-conduction thresholds were clinically unremarkable. Bidirectional variability across all test frequencies was observed; 82% of patients did not experience significant threshold changes during the studies, 7% had potential hearing decrement, and 10% experienced hearing sensitivity improvement. No notable differences were observed between patients receiving HYD and placebo or between different HYD doses. Conclusion: No ototoxic signal was observed for single-entity hydrocodone tablets at the dosages and treatment durations investigated. Key words: Audiologic monitoring, clinical trials, hydrocodone, opioids, ototoxicity monitoring, sensorineural hearing loss

Objective Describe the diagnosis and management of spontaneous lateral skull base cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks that originate from the posterior fossa. Study design Retrospective case review. Setting Tertiary university hospital. Patients Adult patients from 2005 to 2015 who underwent surgical repair of a spontaneous lateral skull base CSF leak with intraoperative confirmation of a posterior fossa leak source. Intervention Surgical repair. Main outcome measures CSF leak resolution. Results Five patients had CSF leaks from the posterior fossa. The mean age at presentation was 54 years old (range, 19-79), the mean body mass index (BMI) was 32.6 (standard deviation [SD], 8.4), and the mean follow-up length was 34.6 months (SD, 19.4). Presentations did not differ from CSF leaks through middle fossa defects, including three patients with a history of meningitis and all patients with clear otorrhea following tympanostomy tube placement. All patients had resolution of the leak after surgical repair, but two patients required revision surgery for persistent leaks and one patient had a postoperative infection. Surgical approaches included one middle fossa, two transmastoid, one combined middle fossa/transmastoid, and one transcanal. Radiographic studies suggested a posterior fossa source in all cases but findings were often subtle. Conclusion Posterior fossa CSF leaks represent a rare subset of spontaneous lateral skull base leaks. Diligent radiographic review and intraoperative assessment of the posterior fossa plate are crucial. The size and location of the defect dictates the optimal surgical approach. Surgeons should consider a posterior fossa source in failed repairs or when the initial surgery did not fully evaluate the posterior fossa plate.

Objective To investigate the recidivism rate of cholesteatoma treated via endoscopic ear surgery (EES), either via transcanal endoscopic ear surgery or endoscopic assisted tympanomastoidectomy compared with a microscopic postauricular approach. Study design Retrospective chart review. Setting Academic otology practice. Patients Adult patients (18 years and older) with at least 11 months of surgical follow-up who were treated for cholesteatoma via endoscopic techniques or microscopic postauricular approach. Intervention Use of the endoscope for cholesteatoma dissection. Main outcome measure Residual or recurrent cholesteatoma identified at second look surgery or postoperative diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Results Fifty-nine patients treated for cholesteatoma via endoscopic techniques and 35 patients treated via microscopic postauricular approach were analyzed. The endoscopic group required significantly fewer mastoid procedures (28% versus 80%, p-value 0.001). Postoperative changes in median ABG (5 dB versus 3.75 dB, p = 0.9519), median PTA (6.875 dB versus 1.25 dB, p = 0.3864), and median word recognition score (0% versus 0%, p = 0.3302) were not significantly different between the EES and microscopic surgery groups. Median operative times were not significantly different between the two groups (182 min endoscopic versus 174 min microscopic, p-value 0.66). The rate of residual disease (17% EES versus 17% microscopic, p = 0.959) or disease recurrence (18% endoscopic versus 20% microscopic, p = 0.816) were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusions EES is an effective option for cholesteatoma management with similar rates of recurrent or residual disease as compared with the more traditional microscopic postauricular approach in these samples.

Purpose of review To describe the current state in the diagnosis and management of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (sCSF) fistula and encephaloceles. Recent findings The increased incidence of obesity has resulted in more cases of sCSF fistula and encephaloceles. Obesity results in increased intracranial pressure and a greater chance of developing a sCSF fistula or encephalocele. Obstructive sleep apnea can also result in transient increase in intracranial pressure and has been shown to be common in patients with sCSF fistula. Treatment of CSF fistula is usually necessary because of the increased risk of meningitis. The use of hydroxyapatite bone cements to repair the temporal bone defects has been described with a high success rate of closing the fistula and a low complication rate. Concurrent superior semicircular canal dehiscent can be seen in up to 15% of cases and should be suspected during the surgical approach to avoid potential sensorineural hearing loss and chronic imbalance. Summary sCSF fistula and encephaloceles are an uncommon cause of hearing loss, middle ear effusion, and otorrhea, but should be recognized and repaired because of the risk of meningitis.

Purpose of review The aim of this article is to describe the middle fossa craniotomy (MFC) approach for the repair of cerebrospinal (CSF) fistula and encephaloceles. Recent findings The MFC approach has a greater than 93% success rate for managing CSF fistula and encephaloceles located along the tegmen tympani and tegmen mastoideum. Posterior fossa defects cannot be managed by an MFC approach. Multilayer repair with the combination of soft tissue and durable substances is preferred. Hydroxyapatite bone cement provides a durable repair of thinned or absent areas of bone with a low risk of infection. Concurrent management of symptomatic superior semicircular canal dehiscence may be readily performed. Small keyhole craniotomies with the utilization of the endoscope are possible as a means to minimize temporal lobe retraction. Summary MFC repair of CSF fistula and encephaloceles is a highly effective approach for the repair of tegmen mastoideum and tegmen tympani defects.

Objective To explore patient demographics as to predicting vestibular schwannoma (VS) size and treatment plan within a single institution. Methods Using a large tertiary referral skull base center database, all patients with sporadic VS who presented to the center between 2009 and 2018 were reviewed. Results A total of 816 patients with VS over 18 years of age were included. The median age was 56.8 years (range: 18.6–90.9 years). The median tumor diameter at diagnosis was 11.9 mm (range: 0.6–51.1 mm). With multivariate analysis, older age was associated with decreased tumor size (0.23 mm, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.17–0.29), whereas married patients had larger tumors (2.5 mm, 95% CI: 0.92–4.09). When comparing observation, radiation, or surgery, older patients are more likely to pursue observation as compared with surgery and radiation (odds ratio [OR]: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.06–1.10 and OR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.08–1.33), respectively. Married patients were less likely to pursue observation as compared with surgery (OR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.29–0.82). Each additional mile a patient lives farther from the center increases his or her odds of pursuing treatment (OR: 1.002, 95% CI: 1.001–1.003). Conclusions Older age is associated with smaller tumors, whereas married patients have larger tumors at diagnosis as compared with nonmarried patients. Furthermore, married patients are more likely to pursue treatment, specifically surgery, as compared with nonmarried patients, whereas patients who live farther from the center are more likely to pursue treatment.

The field of facial paralysis requires the reconstructive surgeon to apply a wide spectrum of reconstructive and aesthetic principles, using a comprehensive array of surgical tools, including microsurgery, peripheral nerve surgery, and aesthetic facial surgery on the road to optimize patient outcomes. The distinct deficits created by different anatomical levels of facial nerve injury require a fundamental understanding of facial nerve anatomy. Palsy duration, followed by location and mechanism, will determine mimetic muscle salvageability, by means of either direct repair, grafting, or nerve transfers, whereas longer palsy durations will necessitate introducing a new neuromuscular unit, whether by muscle transfer or free functional muscle transplant. A thorough history, physical examination, and basic understanding of ancillary studies, emphasizing palsy duration, location, and mechanism of injury, are critical in evaluation, prognostication, and treatment strategies in traumatic facial palsy patients. The importance of ancillary and aesthetic procedures cannot be overstated. Although these do not provide motion, they constitute essential tools in the treatment of facial paralysis, providing both protective and improved aesthetic outcomes, yielding the highest impact in final surgeon and patient satisfaction, bringing our patients to smile not only on the outside, but also on the inside.

Objectives 1) To describe the technique for transcanal endoscopic management of congenital ossicular chain fixation. 2) To highlight the utility and outcomes of the endoscopic approach for management of congenital ossicular fixation. Study design Retrospective patient series. Setting Academic tertiary pediatric hospital. Patients Pediatric patients (age 6-12) undergoing transcanal endoscopic management of congenital ossicular fixation from May 2014 to December 2014. Interventions A transcanal endoscopic approach was used in eight procedures. Ossicular chain pathology was managed with either mobilization, ossiculoplasty with a stapes prosthesis, or incus interposition. Main outcome measures Pure-tone averages, speech reception thresholds, and speech discrimination scores were recorded pre- and postoperatively for each subject. Preoperative computed tomography evaluations were compared to intraoperative findings for each subject. Results An improvement in the pure-tone average, as well as air-bone gap, was noted after six of eight procedures. No patients experienced a complication or a reduction in their bone conduction hearing. The chorda tympani nerve was preserved in all eight patients. Conversion to open approach was not necessary for any of the eight procedures performed. Conclusion The transcanal endoscopic approach was successful in improving hearing in pediatric patients with congenital ossicular fixation that involves any of the three ossicles. An endoscopic transcanal approach provides an alternative method to manage congenital ossicular pathology with the advantage of providing excellent visualization and the avoidance of a postauricular incision.

Reconstructive surgeons may encounter patients presenting after intracranial facial nerve resection and grafting in the setting of skull base tumors, who inquire regarding progression, final facial function, and need for future operations. Study goals were to analyze global and regional facial function using established grading systems and videography, while examine variables possibly affecting outcomes.Between 1997 and 2012, 28 patients underwent intracranial nerve grafting. Fifteen were prospectively evaluated by three facial nerve physical therapists with the Facial Nerve Grading System 2.0 and the Sunnybrook Facial Grading Score for function and the Facial Disability Index for quality of life. Still photographs and videography were used to assess quality of motion and tone, while demographic and medical variables were analyzed regarding their effect on end results.Average patient age was 41.9 years (range, 22 to 66 years), and there were 10 women and five men. Average time interval between nerve grafting and evaluations was 42.9 months (range, 12 to 146 months). Both grading scores demonstrated best outcomes in the periorbita and worst outcomes in the brow. Buccinator muscle tone also improved. The average total Facial Disability Index was 67.5 percent. Although not statistically significant, the data suggest that nerve gap length affected total resting symmetry and voluntary movement, whereas preoperative palsy and age may affect total resting symmetry. Perioperative radiation therapy, tumor type, donor nerve, and coaptation technique were not found to affect outcomes.Intracranial facial nerve grafting largely provides better resting tone and facial symmetry, potentially improving end results of future intervention; however, overall voluntary facial motion is poor.Therapeutic, IV.