The Yung percutaneous mastoid vent: a medium-term follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: I designed a percutaneous mastoid vent to provide permanent ventilation to the middle ear. The vent consists of an outer titanium tube that osseointegrates with the mastoid bone and an inner Teflon tube that protrudes into the mastoid antrum. OBJECTIVE: To follow up all patients who had the mastoid vent inserted since 1995. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective study of 14 patients with mastoid vents inserted at the ear, nose, and throat clinic of a district general hospital. PATIENTS: All patients had ventilation problems of the ear that failed to respond to conventional treatment. Three patients had persistent otitis media with effusion; 10 had completely collapsed eardrums; and 1 had failed tympanoplasty with recollapsed eardrum. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME MEASURE: The mastoid vent extrusion rate, surrounding skin reaction, patency of the vent, and functional results were assessed with a follow-up period of 9 to 36 months. RESULTS: Only 1 vent was extruded in a patient who had a previous cortical mastoidectomy. There was no dermatitis around any of the vents. All vents remained patent, and 9 of the 14 ears underwent successful ventilation. Four ears had adhesions within the mastoid antrum, mainly due to a previous cortical mastoidectomy. Six of 8 ears with intact ossicles also had improved hearing. CONCLUSION: The percutaneous mastoid vent can provide medium-term ventilation to the middle ear.     

Tympanic membrane atrophy, scarring, atelectasis and attic retraction in persistent, untreated otitis media with effusion and following ventilation tube insertion

Two hundred and twenty two children with persistent bilateral otitis media with effusion (OME) were treated with unilateral ventilation tube insertion and no treatment to the contralateral ear. The tympanic membrane changes in the operated and unoperated ears were compared during a 12 year follow-up. Segmental atrophy resulted from tube insertion whereas minor scarring and thickening of the pars tensa was related to the middle ear condition. Eighty three percent of untreated ears and 85% of those treated with tubes did not develop atelectasis. Sixty percent of untreated ears and 64% of treated ears did not develop attic retraction. Very few cases (1.5 and 2%) in untreated and treated ears, respectively developed severe atelectasis. The overall duration of OME was assessed from the pre-operative history of hearing loss, the 3 month period of pre-operative observation and the post-operative time with effusion. There is a relationship between duration of the disease and development of both atelectasis and attic retraction.     

Anterior subannular T-tube for long-term middle ear ventilation during tympanoplasty.

OBJECTIVE: A technique for providing long-term ventilation of the middle ear (ME) during tympanoplasty is described, and the results using this technique in 20 patients with chronic Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) are reported. STUDY DESIGN: This study was a retrospective, nonrandomized case review. SETTING: This study was conducted at an otology clinic in a tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Twenty consecutive patients who underwent tympanoplasty with ETD, adhesive otitis media, or chronic otitis media with perforation were included in this study. INTERVENTION: All patients had a subannular T-tube placed anteriorly at the time of tympanoplasty for long-term ventilation of the ME space. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The two main outcome measures were tube position and patency. Preoperative and postoperative hearing levels were also tested in most patients, and any complications were documented. RESULTS: Twenty patients (20 ears) received anterior subannular T-tubes at the time of tympanoplasty. Fourteen females and 6 males were evaluated (median age, 36 years; range, 7 to 72 years). All patients had ETD; 7 had adhesive otitis media, 10 had chronic otitis media, 8 had cholesteatoma, and 2 had cleft palate. All patients had conductive hearing loss and previous surgery. All patients underwent tympanoplasty; 11 had concomitant ossiculoplasty, and 5 had mastoidectomy. Follow-up ranged from 8 to 22 months (mean, 13.4 months). One patient was lost to follow-up. One tube extruded after 16 months. Two patients had persistent mild retraction of the tympanic membrane. All other tubes are patent and have not migrated or plugged. There has been no evidence of anterior blunting or ingrowth of epithelium around the tube. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior subannular T-tube placement is a simple, safe, and effective alternative for long-term ME ventilation in patients in whom standard transtympanic sites are not available. At their last follow-up visit, all but one patient had a patent tube. All MEs were aerated. This technique offers the advantage of ease of placement during simultaneous tympanoplasty, mastoidectomy, or ossiculoplasty. Longer follow-up is necessary to confirm these initial findings.     

Does the silastic eustachian tube prosthesis improve eustachian tube function?

This clinical study attempts to evaluate the effectiveness of Eustachian tube function in 30 ears, 11–29 months after insertion of the Silastic® Eustachian tube prosthesis (SETP). Indications for the SETP were limited to persistent Eustachian tube dysfunction. Preoperatively, 13 patients had intact tympanic membranes with persistent serous otitis media. Seventeen patients underwent tympanoplasty and demonstrated persistent serous otitis media in the opposite ear. Postoperatively, aeration of the middle ear was evaluated by tympanometry, microscopic examination, and myringostomy. Microphotographs demonstrate the state of the middle ear. Histology of the middle ear mucosa was obtained in a few cases. Ninety-six percent of the ears with an SETP demonstrated confirmed persistent Eustachian tube dysfunction beginning an average of six months after insertion. Complications were common.     

Permanent mastoid vent: a new treatment for persistent eustachian tube obstruction

To date, there is no satisfactory treatment for persistent eustachian tube blockage or negative pressure in the middle ear. Conventional ventilation tubes are usually either occluded or extruded with time. A new treatment of percutaneous mastoid vent provides permanent ventilation to the middle ear cleft without putting a tube through the eardrum. A titanium tube is inserted through the skin into the mastoid antrum using the established technique of osseo-integration and hence becomes truly permanent. It can also be connected to a CPAP machine to re-inflate a collapsed eardrum. Initial trials consist of six vents inserted and followed up for 6–16 months. There was no sign of extrusion or a foreign body reaction. However, an inner Teflon tube is essential to keep the vent patent for permanent ventilation to the middle ear cleft.     

The feasibility of office-based laser-assisted tympanic membrane fenestration with tympanostomy tube insertion: the duPont Hospital experience.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility of inserting tympanostomy tubes in children using office-based laser-assisted tympanic membrane fenestration. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Study consisted of a retrospective review of the charts of all children who underwent office-based laser-assisted tympanic membrane fenestration with tympanostomy tube insertion from July 1, 1998 to August 31, 2000. Tetracaine eardrops were used for topical anesthesia. Fenestration was achieved with the OtoLAM flashscanner laser (ESC Sharplan, Yokneam, Israel). RESULTS: Of the 127 patients (185 ears) who underwent laser-assisted tympanic membrane fenestration, 61 ears underwent tympanostomy tube insertion. Ten ears were treated for otitis media with effusion, 43 for recurrent acute otitis media, and eight for acute otitis media not responding to antibiotics. Fifteen ears had purulent effusion, five had a serous effusion, and 23 had mucoid middle ear fluid. Eighteen ears had no middle ear fluid. At the first follow-up visit, all tested ears had hearing of 20 dB or better. Two children had tubes that were blocked. Blockage occurred in ears that required more than one laser firing to penetrate the tympanic membrane. Otorrhea was present in 13 ears (21%). Otorrhea occurred exclusively in ears with purulent or mucoid middle ear fluid. CONCLUSIONS: Office-based laser-assisted tympanic membrane fenestration with tympanostomy tube insertion is a safe and effective alternative to tube placement in the operating room. The outcome compares favorably with previously published data.     

中耳胆固醇肉芽肿的诊断及治疗

目的:探讨中耳胆固醇肉芽肿的发病原因、诊断和接受中耳乳突手术治疗后的效果。方法:回顾性分析我院1999年8月～2004年4月接受中耳乳突手术治疗和经病理证实的18例(19耳)中耳胆固醇肉芽肿患者的临床资料,其中,接受完壁式乳突根治加鼓室探查加中耳置管术7耳,完壁式乳突根治加鼓室探查加听骨链成形加中耳置管术2耳,完壁式乳突根治加鼓室探查术3耳,完壁式乳突根治加鼓膜成形术2耳,开放式乳突根治加鼓室成形术4耳,单纯乳突切除术1耳。结果:置管者术后1～3个月拔除中耳通气管,鼓膜愈合良好;未置中耳通气管者,1～2个月鼓膜颜色正常。术后听力均有不同程度提高,纯音测听达到应用水平(语频气导平均听阈30dB以内)15耳(79%)。所有患者随访0.5～2年,除1耳因咽鼓管不通,长期留置中耳通气管外,其余患者无复发。结论:中耳胆固醇肉芽肿的病因为中耳炎症引起含气腔通气受阻,引流障碍及含气腔出血。确诊有赖于病理诊断。中耳乳突手术彻底去除病变,建立乳突鼓室咽鼓管良好的通气系统,是手术成功的关键。     

Canal wall down tympanoplasty with canal reconstruction for middle-ear cholesteatoma: post-operative hearing,cholesteatoma recurrence,and status of re-aeration of reconstructed middle-ear cavity

The post-operative outcome of hearing, the reconstructed external auditory canal, and the state of the reconstructed middle-ear cavity after canal wall down tympanoplasty with canal and attico-antrum reconstruction was studied in 103 ears with middle-ear cholesteatoma. The reconstructed mastoid cavity was re-aerated in 36.5 per cent of the cases, which was significantly lower than for the epitympanum (63.5 per cent) and tympanic cavity (82.4 per cent). Tympanoplasty was successful in terms of hearing results in 68.9 per cent of all subjects and in 75.4 per cent of the ears having a re-aerated tympanic cavity, which was significantly better than the 38.5 per cent for ears in which the tympanic cavity was not re-aerated. The findings of recurrent cholesteatoma, tympanic atelectasis, and tympanic effusion were observed with significantly (p<0.03) high incidence in ears with no re-aerated space in their reconstructed mastoid cavities. It was revealed that the post-operative outcome of this surgical technique was significantly related to the state of re-aeration of the reconstructed middle-ear cavity.     

Effect of irradiation on middle ear effusion due to nasopharyngeal carcinoma

The management of middle ear effusion by myringotomy and insertion of ventilation tubes in 75 adult patients was evaluated. In Group 1 the middle ear effusion was not related to nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma were subdivided into pre and post-radiotherapy groups (Group 2 and Group 3) according to the time of insertion of the ventilation tubes. Myringotomy and insertion of ventilation tubes achieved significant hearing gain in all three groups. The pre and post-radiotherapy groups had a higher post-operative infection rate than Group 1 (P > 0.01). The duration of a persistent tympanic membrane defect in the post-radiotherapy group was significantly longer than Group 1 (P = 0.03). The post-radiotherapy group had more perforations than Group 1 (P= 0.02). A total of 28% of ears in the post-radiotherapy group were discharging at the last visit. In view of the higher complication rate in the post-radiotherapy group, the role of myringotomy and insertion of ventilation tube is reassessed.     

The Silverstein permanent aeration tube in tympanoplasty

Hearing improvement for cases of chronic ear disease has become one of the goals of tympanoplasty. Although great strides continue to be made toward this goal, one enigma which frustrates even the most carefully performed tympanoplasty is the blocked or non-functioning eustachian tube. Early attempts to overcome this problem consisted of passing polyethylene tubing through the eustachian tube and out the nose, Zoller, or drilling out the tubal orifice, Wullstein. Other articles recommended rerouting the eustachian tube through the maxillary sinus or reconstructing its normal course by a middle fossa approach. Herbert Silverstein first introduced the idea of a permanent indwelling silastic aeration tube for treatment of chronic serous otitis media in 1970; he also described its use in ears with ossicular problems and poor eustachian tube function. He places this tube by drilling a hole through the posterior inferior bony annulus of the middle ear or directly into the mastoid antrum. The Silverstein permanent silastic aeration tube has been found to be a valuable adjunct in tympanoplasty. This tube may be utilized at the time of the initial surgery or as a secondary procedure. It may be placed through the bony annulus of the middle ear or into a hole drilled to the mastoid antrum as described by Silverstein; however, in ears where the incus must be removed, the fossa incudis becomes the preferred location. Sixteen cases are reported in which the Silverstein permanent aeration tube was utilized in conjunction with tympanoplasty. The concept for use of this permanent silastic tube arose out of the frustrating experience of producing recurrent perforations in grafted tympanic membranes by the use of conventional aeration tubes; therefore, the following technique was adopted: a diagnostic myringotomy was performed and a polyethylene tube placed temporarily through the grafted tympanic membrane. If the hearing improved following the procedure the patient was scheduled for insertion of a permanent aeration tube. In selected cases the aerating device was used in conjunction with the original tympanoplasty. Postoperative care is simple and consists of cleaning crusts from within and around the tube. Although infections through the tube are infrequent, if they occur the tube may be removed as an office procedure. Overall hearing results have been gratifying. Six months following surgery 81 percent of the patients had closed the air bone gap to within 10 decibels or less and another 12 percent to within 20 decibels of the preoperative bone conduction. There was more loss of hearing in two of the 16 ears following this procedure, but in none was there a significant change in the discrimination score or the development of an unserviceable ear. Truly this is a detour and bypass procedure, and it would be much more physiologic and desirable to restore middle ear aeration through the normal eustachian tube; however, until a reliable, simple and consistent procedure can be devised, the Silverstein permanent aeration tube appears to fulfill the requirements of maintaining middle ear aeration with good hearing and function.     

Aspiration of middle ear effusions prior to grommet insertion an etiological factor in tympanosclerosis

Fifty-five children with bilateral middle ear effusions were entered into a prospective randomized double blind trial to determine whether aspiration of middle ear effusions prior to ventilation tube insertion influences ventilation tube extrusion time or the development of tympanosclerosis. Following myringotomy, aspiration of the left or right ear only was performed randomly prior to ventilation tube insertion. The tympanic membranes were inspected six-monthly to determine whether ventilation tube extrusion had occurred, and at 24 months after surgery for the presence of tympanosclerosis. Results showed no significant difference in extrusion time between aspirated and non-aspirated ears. Aspiration was found to be a factor in the development of tympanosclerosis. We conclude that routine aspiration of the middle ear effusion prior to ventilation tube insertion is associated with an increased risk of tympanosclerosis.     

Transtympanic endoscopic findings in patients with otitis media with effusion

Using a fine, rigid endoscope (Olympus, SES-1711K), we examined the middle ear, including the tympanic orifice of the eustachian tube, of children with otitis media with effusion (OME) in its active stage (26 ears), in the convalescent stage (13 ears), and during treatment with ventilation tubes for 10 days to 6 months (five ears) through myringotomy with the patients under general anesthesia. Several color photographs of representative ears are shown. In the active stage of OME, edema (73.1%) and hyperemia (23.1%) were characteristic features of the middle ear mucosa, and normal mucosa was seen in only one ear (3.1%). The tympanic orifice of the eustachian tube, which could be examined in 12 ears, were stenosed with edema in four ears (33.3%) or plugged with effusion in three ears (25.0%) in this group. In the convalescent stage of OME, dilated vessels were most often seen (69.2%), but the rest of the patients had normal mucosa (30.8%) in the middle ear, and none of them had edema nor hyperemia. The tympanic orifice of the eustachian tube, which could be examined in five ears, was clearly patent in all the patients in this group. One ear that was treated with a ventilation tube for 1 month showed dilated vessels and less severe inflammation than did ears that were in the active stage of OME, and three ears that were treated for more than 3 months showed almost normal middle ear mucosa.     

Effect of irradiation on middle ear effusion due to nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

The management of middle ear effusion by myringotomy and insertion of ventilation tubes in 75 adult patients was evaluated. In Group 1 the middle ear effusion was not related to nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma were subdivided into pre and post-radiotherapy groups (Group 2 and Group 3) according to the time of insertion of the ventilation tubes. Myringotomy and insertion of ventilation tubes achieved significant hearing gain in all three groups. The pre and post-radiotherapy groups had a higher post-operative infection rate than Group 1 (P greater than 0.01). The duration of a persistent tympanic membrane defect in the post-radiotherapy group was significantly longer than Group 1 (P = 0.03). The post-radiotherapy group had more perforations than Group 1 (P = 0.02). A total of 28% of ears in the post-radiotherapy group were discharging at the last visit. In view of the higher complication rate in the post-radiotherapy group, the role of myringotomy and insertion of ventilation tube is reassessed.     

完壁式乳突切开联合面隐窝开放治疗儿童分泌性中耳炎

目的 探讨完壁式乳突切开联合面隐窝开放在治疗儿童分泌性中耳炎中的临床价值.方法 回顾性分析2005年6月至2007年6月中山大学附属第二医院耳鼻咽喉头颈外科收治的17例(19耳)反复发作,行鼓膜置管3次以上无效的儿童分泌性中耳炎患者的临床资料,19耳均接受完壁式乳突切开联合面隐窝开放术治疗,其中7耳术中探杳咽鼓管欠通畅,同期行鼓膜置管术,置管后1～3个月拔管.结果 19耳中耳乳突炎性组织的病理检杳结果显示,9耳为中耳胆固醇肉芽肿,10耳为炎性肉芽.术后19耳均获痊愈,鼓膜形态正常.鼓室压图为A型曲线者16耳,C型曲线者3耳,且负压均在150 mm H2O(1 cm H2O=O.098 kPa)内.术后3个月纯音测听骨气导差均在15 dB以内,随访2～3年无复发.结论 儿童分泌性中耳炎如果反复发作,在多次行鼓膜置管无效的情况下,可考虑采用完壁式乳突切开联合面隐窝开放术式彻底清除病灶,从而建立长期有效的咽鼓管、鼓室、鼓窦、乳突的通气引流,该术式有效.     

Goode T-tubes: do the benefits of their use outweigh their complications?

In this retrospective study of 130 ears over a 5-year period, the effect of intubation with the Goode T-tube was evaluated. The tubes improved the hearing in 86% of ears with a conductive loss secondary to a middle ear effusion to an average 5 dB airbone gap. They improved the early stage retracted tympanic membrane but had no effect on the established postero-superior retraction pocket. They were successful in treating barotrauma. The main complication with their use was otorrhoea which occurred in 28% of ears, and persistent perforation occurring in 6% of the ears. Seventy-seven per cent of tubes were in place after 36 months. Extrusion was significantly related to infection in the ear, and also to the presence of glue on insertion but there was no correlation between the number of previous grommets or the age of the patient. The Goode T-tube is advocated for use in middle ear effusion refractory to conventional grommet insertion or that due to cleft palate.     

易漏诊的隐匿性中耳炎

目的探讨隐匿性中耳炎的临床特点,避免误诊。方法回顾分析13例隐匿性中耳炎患者的临床资料,从病史、鼓膜检查、听功能检测、颞骨CT及手术所见等方面总结分析其特征。结果所有病例无明显耳漏病史,鼓膜和外耳道局部无明显阳性体征,均以听力下降、耳闷、耳鸣、耳痛等症状就诊,病程8天～2个月;纯音听阈显示4耳为传导性听力损失,9耳为混合性听力损失,0.5～4kHz气导平均听阈为44.15±4.50dB HL;鼓室导抗图B型12耳,C型1耳;颞骨CT显示鼓窦、乳突区密度增高;术中见2耳上鼓室有包裹性积液及肉芽,9耳上鼓室、鼓窦、乳突腔有肉芽组织,部分听骨链中断,2耳乳突腔见胆脂瘤。手术清除病变,解除引流通道的阻塞,13例均治愈,随访6个月至3年,无复发。结论易漏诊的隐匿性中耳炎无明显临床症状,对于有反复原因不明的耳痛、耳闷感、耳鸣、听力下降等症状者,无论鼓膜完整与否,均应早期行听力及高分辨率颞骨CT扫描等检查以确诊;手术是该病有效的治疗方法。     

Volumetric changes of the aerated middle ear and mastoid after insertion of tympanostomy tubes

Volumetric changes of the middle ear and mastoid were measured monthly by the direct volumetric method in 28 ears from 21 patients (12 children and nine adults) with otitis media with effusion. The mean volumetric increase immediately after the insertion of the tubes was 1.56 ml and was attributed to the volume of effusion aspirated from the tympanic cavity and mastoid antrum. The volume increased significantly for three months (P less than 0.01). The increase was speculated to be due to disappearance of the mucosal edema and of effusion in the tympanic cavity and mastoid. The volumetric changes showed little increase thereafter.     

耳后带蒂复合皮瓣移植填塞乳突术腔 并重建外耳道后壁

目的探讨陈旧性根治性乳突术腔填塞及外耳道后壁缺损的修复方法。方法采用耳后带蒂复合皮瓣移植,对10例(11耳)行乳突根治术后1～6年的患者,行陈旧性乳突术腔填塞及外耳道后壁缺损重建术,并同期行鼓室成形术。结果术后随访3～30个月,全部患者乳突术腔消失,外耳道大小接近正常;术后干耳时间2～3周,“根治腔病”症状明显好转,平均听阈下降13.6dBHL。结论本方法缩短了术后干耳时间,对乳突根治术后的“根治腔病”具有明显的治疗效果,有利于鼓室成形术。     

Effectiveness of adenoidectomy and laser tympanic membrane fenestration

Objective Adenoidectomy alone or with tonsillectomy (A±T) is an effective surgical intervention in the management of otitis media in children, especially when it is performed in conjunction with insertion of pressure equalization tubes (PETs). Otorrhea and persistent tympanic membrane (TM) perforation are frequent complications. This study evaluates the effectiveness of intermediate duration middle ear ventilation using laser tympanic membrane fenestration (LTMF) without tube insertion and as an adjunct to adenoidectomy in resolving middle ear disease within the first 90 days after surgery. Study Design This pilot study was a multicenter, prospective clinical cohort trial. Institutional review board approval and informed consent were obtained. The study involved four tertiary care pediatric otolaryngology departments. Fifty children (96 ears) were treated with LTMF in conjunction with A±T from June 1, 1998, through March 30, 1999. Ages ranged from 9 months to 12 years. Patients undergoing A±T who would have been recommended for PET insertion instead underwent middle ear ventilation with LTMF using the OtoLAM? device (ESC/Sharplan, Yokneam, Israel). Patients were seen at 30, 60, and 90 days postoperatively. Resolution of otitis media with effusion was determined by clinical examination, which included pneumatic otoscopy, audiometry, and tympanometry. Results Of the treated ears, 88%, 86%, and 83% had clinical resolution of middle ear disease at 30, 60, and 90 days, respectively. Preoperatively, 45% (n = 85) of ears had normal hearing; 92% (n = 49) had normal hearing at 90 days. Eighty‐nine percent (n = 92) had type C2 or B tympanograms preoperatively, and 12% (n = 60) had type C2 or B at 90 days. Conclusion Laser tympanic membrane fenestration in conjunction with adenoidectomy was effective in restoring normal middle ear function at 90 days post‐treatment in greater than 80% of children who otherwise may have had placement of PETs.