A new device for treatment of persistent otitis media with effusion

Objectives

Most children suffer from otitis media with effusion (OME) before starting school. Insertion of grommets into the eardrum for treatment of OME is one of the most common operations performed in childhood. The efficiency and compliance of treatment with a new non-invasive device was evaluated in children with bilateral OME with disease duration of at least 3 months.

Methods

A device for autoinflation was developed to enable a combined modified Valsalva and Politzer maneuver. Ten children, aged 3–8 years (mean: 5 years and 2 months) with OME tested the device for estimation of its ability to ventilate the middle ear. Another thirty-one children, with persistent bilateral OME for at least three months, were divided into a treatment and a control group. Twenty-one children (42 ears), aged 2–7 year (mean: 4 years and 6 months), participated as the treatment group and ten patients (20 ears), aged 3–7 years (mean: 4 years and 5 months), were included as controls. Tympanometry and otomicroscopy were performed at inclusion and at the end of the study.

Results

In the treatment group the middle ear pressure was normalized in 52% and improved in 31% of the ears with 7 children (33%) achieving bilateral and 8 (38%) unilateral normalization. In the control group the middle ear pressure was normalized in 15%, improved in 15% and deteriorated in 10% of the ears with one child (10%) achieving bilateral and one child (10%) unilateral normalization. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.001) were observed in the pressure difference and the tympanometry type changes between the treatment and the control group. Otomicroscopic examination revealed that the number of ears judged as OME was reduced by 62% in the treatment group in comparison with 20% in the control group. All children managed to perform the maneuver and no side effects were neither reported nor detected.

Conclusions

The device was efficient in ventilation of the middle ear with normalization or improvement of the negative middle ear pressure and otomicroscopic findings in young children with persistent OME.     

Relationship between CT findings and sensorineural hearing loss in chronic otitis media

Objective

To investigate the relationships between the temporal bone CT findings and sensorineural hearing loss in ears with non-cholesteatomatous chronic otitis media (COM).

Methods

Preoperative bone conduction (BC) hearing thresholds of 266 patients (304 ears) with COM were compared with those of 342 normal individuals (440 ears) by audiometry. The incidence of abnormal BC threshold at lower frequencies (250–1000 Hz) and at higher frequencies (2000–4000 Hz) were examined and the differences between control and COM groups were compared by using χ2 test. In the COM group, the cross-sectional area of the mastoid air cells based on the axial CT image (n = 255) were correlated with the results of BC threshold.

Results

The percentage in the COM group exceeds 15% in their 50s at lower frequencies while in their 40s at higher frequencies. The BC thresholds were significantly better in the group with normal mastoid area than in those with smaller mastoid area at each decadal age group. The BC impairment from COM becomes worse as the course of the disease progresses and deteriorated from 40s rapidly, especially at higher frequencies and in the group with smaller mastoid area.

Conclusion

These results recommend that early treatment, including surgery, should be considered as early as possible before BC impairment occurs, especially for COM cases with smaller mastoid area, which may indicate the existence of more severe otitis media since earlier childhood.     

Clinical analysis of secondary acquired cholesteatoma

Objective

This study aimed to analyze the clinical features of patients who underwent surgery for secondary acquired cholesteatoma (SAC).

Materials and methods

The subjects were 30 patients who underwent surgery for SAC in 30 ears. We investigated the age distribution, sex, tympanic membrane (TM) findings, temporal bone pneumatization, morphology of TM epidermis invasion, extent of cholesteatoma invasion, ossicular erosion, surgical methods and surgical results.

Results

There were 10 males (33.3%) and 20 females (66.6%), with a mean age 54.9 years. The TM perforation was medium-sized or larger in 27 ears (90%). Temporal bone pneumatization was poor or bad in 90% (18/20) of the evaluated ears. The cholesteatoma invaded from the malleus manubrium to the promontory in 23 ears (76.7%). There were no patients in whom the cholesteatoma invaded the antrum or mastoid. The ossicles were affected in 19 ears (63.3%). Ossiculoplasty with a columella on the stapes was the most frequent procedure, performed for 16 ears (53.3%). There were no hearing results with a postoperative air-bone gap of more than 31 dB.

Conclusions

Although SAC is rare, it is important for the clinician to keep this type of cholesteatoma in mind.     

Otitis media: Is precursor of delayed reading in Arabic speaking children?

Objective

To investigate the relation between otitis media in the language acquisition years and the occurrence of delayed reading between the ages of 7 and 10.

Method

Participants were 40 children, half of whom had a history of otitis media between the ages of birth and three years and half who were free of the disease. These children, now ages 7–10, were tested with the Stanford Beint and Arabic Dyslexia Assessment Test.

Results

Children with a history of otitis media scored over a year below grade level in reading and significantly below controls on Arabic Dyslexia Assessment tests as well as on the Verbal IQ factor on the Stanford Binet.

Conclusions

Children with early onset otitis media (birth to three years) tend to be at greater risk for delayed reading than age-matched controls.     

Use of tympanometry in general practice in Denmark

Objectives

Otitis media has been a serious disease and can be that even today. The diagnosis of otitis media is often difficult. Pneumatic otoscopy, otomicroscopy, and tympanometry can improve the diagnostic quality by indication of fluid in the middle ear and thereby improve the quality of treatment. The aim of this ongoing study is to analyze the use of tympanometry in Denmark after reimbursement for doing tympanometry (November 2006) when clinically indicated. Our research questions were: How many clinics were using tympanometry? How frequent was it used? Is the use increasing? Has the number of GPs in the clinic any relation to the use of tympanometry?

Method

We used information in The Danish National Health Service in three Regions to analyze the use of tympanometry in general practice during the years 2007–2009. The coverage of the GPs is 100% in the regions.

Results

The three regions counted about half of Danish population. In 2009 the material was 902 different clinics with more than 1700 GPs. In 2007 55% of the clinics did tympanometry, in 2009 the figure was 60%. In the clinics doing tympanometry the median value was 28 tympanometries per year (inter-quartile range 13–53) per GP. The variation in the use of tympanometry was surprisingly high, from none or a few per GP per year to a maximum of more than 500 tympanometric examinations per GP a year. This huge variation has to be discussed.

Discussion

Many answers can be given. Some of the explanation was problems in doing correct tympanometry, and problems understand the clinical implications of curves and the figures.     

Wyniki strukturalne myringoplastyki metodą podkładania

Introduction

The method of tympanic membrane repairing is called myringoplasty.

Aim of the study

We analysed the reasons of failure of this procedure.

Material and methods

The structural results were observed among 36 patients under restricted criteria with diagnosed chronic otitis media. The unsuccessful procedure was one with reperforation. We studied Eustachian tube function and also localisation and size of the perforation.

Results

The failure rate was 25%, which was mainly observed among individuals with incorrect Eustachian tube function – 70% and margin perforations – 50%. The localisation and the size of the perforation did not matter.

Conclusions

The main reasons of myringoplasty failure were incorrect Eustachian tube function and margin perforations of tympanic membrane.     

Proces gojenia perforacji błon bębenkowych u szczurów

Introduction

Tympanic membrane (TM) perforations are commonly seen in clinical practice as a result of trauma or in the course of otitis media. The TM is a unique structure suspended in air which makes its healing processes different than in the skin wounds.The aim of the study was otoscopical and histological evaluation of the rat's TM healing process.

Material and methods

56 male Wistar rats were used for the study. Fifty of them had TMs perforated bilaterally using CO₂ laser, additional 6 served as a controls. The animals were sacrificed on either day 1, 2, 3, 6 and 10 post injury. Process of healing was assessed otoscopicaly, subsequently TM were dissected and processed for histological evaluation.

Results

At day 6 after perforation half and on day 10 all of TM were healed. On the first day, in histological evaluation, focal thickening of the epithelial layer was observed at some distance from the edge of perforation, on the side of annulus. On the following day proliferation of epithelium covering outer surface of TM on the side of the malleus handle and annulus was clearly visible. An eosinophilic mass containing macrophages and granulocytes was seen in front of the migrating epithelium. On day 3–6 migrating epithelium reached the edge of perforation. Proliferation of the connective tissue layer followed the epithelium.

Conclusions

The present results indicate that the squamous epithelium covering the outer surface of TM constitutes the first layer which restores continuity of TM. The proliferation of the connective tissue occurs in the direct vicinity of the proliferating and migrating epithelium.     

Erratum to “Is sensorineural hearing loss with chronic otitis media due to infection or aging in older patients?” [Auris Nasus Larynx 36 (2009) 269–273]

Objective

To clarify true incidence of sensorineural hearing loss in ears with chronic otitis media (COM).

Methods

Bone conduction (BC) hearing thresholds of 180 preoperative patients (207 ears) with COM and 226 normal individuals (289 ears) were measured by audiometry, and the percentage of ears with BC thresholds being higher than normal range was evaluated in the COM group. In the COM group, the size of the perforation on the eardrum (n = 196) and the cross-sectional area of the mastoid air cells based on the axial CT image (n = 103) were also measured and correlated with the results of BC threshold.

Results

The percentage of ears with BC thresholds being higher than normal range calculated from comparison to the control group tended to increase with age, ranging from 4.5% in the 20s to 34.1% in the 60s with an average of 26.6%. The increase in the BC thresholds did not correlate with the size of eardrum perforation, but correlated well with the size of the mastoid air cells.

Conclusion

These results may suggest that all measures for early cure, including surgery, should be considered as early as possible for patients with COM.     

Sensitivity evaluation in air and water caloric stimulation of the vestibular organs using videonystagmography

Introduction

The aim of the study was to compare air and water caloric stimulation of the vestibular organs using videonystagmography (VNG).

Material and methods

The study covered 18 women aged 21–63 and 11 men aged 21–74 years hospitalized at the ENT, without complaints for vertigo and/or balance disorders. The alternate binaural bithermal caloric test with cool 30 °C and warm 44 °C air or water irrigations (after 2 h interval for the recordings) with the use of VNG was done.

Results

All parameters of air and water vestibular caloric stimulations, assessed in the VNG, differed significantly but were within the normal range. The research showed a statistically significant difference between canal paresis but only for the left ear at 30 °C and 44 °C. Absolute directional preponderance, relative directional preponderance, vestibular excitability, slow component velocity, frequency were different statistically for both ears at both temperatures.

Conclusions

Our study showed that both air and water caloric stimulations were able to distinguish physiological and impaired vestibular function. The obtained results showed statistically higher response for water than air stimulation.     

Influence of size and site of perforation on fat graft myringoplasty

Objectives

In this retrospective study, we investigated the outcomes of fat graft myringoplasty (FGM) in different perforation sizes and locations. The outcomes were evaluated in terms of closure rates and audiological test results.

Methods

The study population included 172 patients who were operated between 2007 and 2012. 161 had unilateral and 11 had bilateral chronic otitis media; and 183 ears were operated by FGM. The patients were divided into two groups based on size as small and larger (size of ≤30 of TM was defined as small perforations, and size of >30% TM was defined as a medium–large perforations); and two groups based on location of perforation [anterior and other (non-anteriorly located)]. Patients’ follow-ups were performed between 1 and 5 years; and follow-up examinations were performed with otoendoscopy. Air conduction (AC) thresholds and air-bone gap (ABG) were evaluated both preoperative year and postoperative 1st year.

Results

The total perforation closure rate was 84.7%. In this study, we found out that FGM is effective closing medium–large perforations just as small perforations with the success rate of 79.1% and 86.4% respectively (p > 0.05). When audiological outcomes were evaluated in both groups, AC values got lower and ABG values improved postoperatively, whereas regarding AC thresholds and ABG improvement among the size groups, patients with small perforations had significantly better postoperative results (p < 0.05). In terms of perforation location, closure rates were 85.2% in anteriorly perforations and 84.5% in the other located perforations. Audiological outcomes demonstrated that in both groups, AC values got lower and ABG values improved postoperatively; and hearing results were not different in anteriorly located perforations and other locations.

Conclusion

Fat graft myringoplasty (FGM) may be used in all small and medium–large, and anteriorly and other located perforations. Although hearing improvement was detected in each of the small; and medium–large perforations; patients with small perforations had more satisfied audiological outcome than medium–large perforations.     

Feasibility of unattended home polysomnography in children with sleep-disordered breathing

Objective

To investigate the technical feasibility of unattended polysomnography (HPSG) for diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children.

Methods

A single-night HPSG was performed on children referred to the pediatric respiratory laboratory. Non-interpretable HPSGs were defined as: recordings with (i) loss of ≥2 of the following channels: nasal flow, or thoraco-abdominal belts, or (ii) HPSG with less than 4 h of artifact-free recording time or (iii) less than 4 h SpO2 signal.

Results

Of n = 101 included HPSGs, n = 75 were ambulatory and n = 26 in hospitalized subjects. Median (minimum–maximum) age was 2.8 (0–15.4) years. Interpretable and technically acceptable recordings were obtained in 94 subjects (93%). Only 7 recordings (4 at home versus 3 in hospitalized subjects, p-value = 0.254) were classified as non-interpretable and had to be repeated. Artifact-free recording time was 461 (23–766) min. Complete artifact-free pulse oximetry signal was obtained in 14% of the included subjects. Neither age, gender, AHI, nor place of performance was significantly associated with the interpretability of recordings.

Discussion

HPSG showed a high rate of interpretability and technical acceptance. The high technical feasibility obtained by HPSG may help to improve simple screening tests for OSA in children.     

Is sensorineural hearing loss with chronic otitis media due to infection or aging in older patients?

Objective

To clarify true incidence of sensorineural hearing loss in ears with chronic otitis media (COM).

Methods

Bone conduction (BC) hearing thresholds of 180 preoperative patients (207 ears) with COM and 226 normal individuals (289 ears) were measured by audiometry, and the percentage of ears with BC thresholds being higher than normal range was evaluated in the COM group. In the COM group, the size of the perforation on the eardrum (n = 196) and the cross-sectional area of the mastoid air cells based on the axial CT image (n = 103) were also measured and correlated with the results of BC threshold.

Results

The percentage of ears with BC thresholds being higher than normal range calculated from comparison to the control group tended to increase with age, ranging from 4.5% in the 20s to 34.1% in the 60s with an average of 26.6%. The increase in the BC thresholds did not correlate with the size of eardrum perforation, but correlated well with the size of the mastoid air cells.

Conclusion

These results may suggest that all measures for early cure, including surgery, should be considered as early as possible for patients with COM.     

How to improve the accuracy of diagnosing otitis media with effusion in a pediatric population

Objective

To determine the accuracy of pneumatic otoscopy, a tympanogram and otomicroscopy for diagnosing otitis media with effusion (OME) in a pediatric population.

Study design

Prospective blinded clinical and IRB-approved study at a secondary referral hospital.

Subjective and methods

Eighty-one children (155 ears) were recruited for this study, who were referred to my secondary referral hospital after OME was diagnosed at other primary clinics. The examiner was blinded for the findings of the diagnostic tools. Myringotomy under local anesthesia was used as the diagnostic reference standard. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of the three diagnostic tools were calculated.

Results

Otomicroscopy was the most sensitive and specific tool among the three diagnostic tools. Otomicroscopy showed the best agreement with myringotomy (kappa = 0.784).

Conclusion

Otomicroscopy can make a more accurate diagnosis even for children who are seen at an outpatient clinic. The much higher specificity of otomicroscopy makes it the best confirmative test and its much higher positive predictive value can prevent a late diagnosis of OME, which can result in severe sequelae.     

The risk of hearing loss in a population with a high prevalence of chronic suppurative otitis media

Background

Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) affects 65–330 million people in the developing part of the world and develops in early childhood. Knowledge of the long-term effects on hearing is scarce. Hearing loss (HL) can cause reduced ability to communicate, impair language development and academic skills.

Objective

To estimate the prevalence of HL in a population with a high-risk of CSOM and to identify the risk of permanent hearing loss from CSOM.

Methods

Ten and 15 years follow-up of two Greenlandic population-based children cohorts. Participants underwent otologic examination and audiometric evaluation. HL was defined using both the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's (ASHA) and the World Health Organizations's (WHO) definition. Risk factors for HL were analyzed, using binomial logistic regression analysis.

Results

A total of 438 individuals aged 11–24 years participated. Using the ASHA definition of HL the prevalence was 50% (95% CI 45.3–54.7). Using the WHO definition of HL the prevalence was 2.5% (95% CI 1.1–3.98). CSOM was the main cause of HL. Co-existing CSOM (OR 16.7, 95% CI 8.29–33.65), spontaneous healing from CSOM (OR 3.75, 95% CI 1.62–8.67), and male gender (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.28–3.78) were associated with HL. Ninety-one percent of children with CSOM developed a permanent hearing loss >15 dBHL.

Conclusion

CSOM was strongly associated with permanent hearing loss. CSOM was the main reason for HL in this population. The WHO definition of hearing loss is likely to underestimate the burden of hearing loss among children and adolescents in developing countries with a high prevalence of CSOM.     

Loop overlay tympanoplasty for anterior or subtotal perforations

Objective

To report our experience with “loop overlay” tympanoplasty, a modified overlay technique with a superiorly based skin flap, for the reconstruction of anterior, subtotal or total tympanic membrane (TM) perforations.

Methods

Retrospective review of patients undergoing loop overlay tympanoplasty from March 1998 to February 2007 was performed. Four hundred and twenty-nine patients who underwent loop overlay tympanoplasty and then follow-up visits a minimum of 6 months later were included in this study. Hearing test results were reported using a four-frequency (0.5, 1, 2, and 3 kHz) pure tone average air–bone gap. The outcome was considered successful if the TM was intact without lateralization or anterior blunting after the follow-up visit.

Results

There was a 98.8% success rate. There was no graft lateralization, anterior blunting, neocholesteatoma, or sensorineural hearing loss. The mean preoperative to postoperative four-tone air–bone gap improved from 23.5 to 8.1 dB, which is a mean gain of 15 dB; this was statistically significant (p < 0.001, paired sample t-test).

Conclusion

The loop overlay graft method is a safe and effective technique for reconstruction of anterior, subtotal or total TM perforations, with excellent graft take and significant improvement of hearing. It provides a precise replacement of the flap and a preserved healing plane.     

Pediatric otogenic sigmoid sinus thrombosis: 12-Year experience

Objectives

Otogenic sigmoid sinus thrombosis is a rare complication of acute otitis media. Treatment remains controversial particularly regarding extent of surgical intervention. The aim of the study was to review the 12-year experience of a major medical center with the treatment of sigmoid sinus thrombosis in children.

Methods

Retrospective case series identified by database review in a tertiary university-affiliated pediatric medical center. Twenty-four children aged 7–155 months were treated for sigmoid sinus thrombosis from 2000 through 2011.

Results

The transverse sinus was also involved in 10 patients, and the jugular vein, in 4. Acute otitis media with mastoiditis was the causative factor in all cases. Subperiosteal abscess was diagnosed in 21 patients, 11 with epidural involvement. Treatment in all cases consisted of broad-spectrum antibiotics and ventilation tube insertion. Twenty-one children (87.5%) underwent mastoidectomy with removal of bone covering the sigmoid sinus to drain pus and remove granulations from the epidural cavity, without aspiration or sinus drainage. Twenty-two patients received low-molecular-weight heparin for 3–6 months postoperatively. Children infected with Fusobacterium necrophorum had a longer and more severe course with coexisting osteomyelitis. There were no neurologic sequelae or hematologic complications. Follow-up imaging, performed in 15 children, revealed partial or full recanalization in 87%.

Conclusions

Relatively conservative surgical intervention appears to yield good results in children with sigmoid sinus thrombosis consequent to acute otitis media. Anticoagulants are safe if correctly administered and may prevent extension of the thrombus.     

Detection of small fenestral otosclerotic lesions by high-resolution computed tomography using multiplanar reconstruction

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess the value of multislice computed tomography (MSCT) using multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) to detect the small fenestral lesions in patients with otosclerosis.

Methods

MSCT with MPR imaging was used to evaluate 27 ears of 17 patients with otosclerosis (3 male and 14 females) ranging in age from 33 to 69 years with a mean of 49.8 year. MSCT imaging was performed using Aquilion^®. Axial spiral scans with a 0.5-mm slice thickness were obtained. The acquired high-resolution data were transferred to a workstation (ALATO VIEW). MPR images were created in the planes parallel to the stapedial crus and then analyzed on the monitor screen by two radiologists (Y.T. and N.K.).

Results

MPR images showed abnormal findings in 26 of 27 ears with otosclerosis (96%), whereas axial images showed abnormal findings in only 15 of 27 ears (56%). The similar classification between both images was shown only in 9 of 27 ears (33%). In 16 ears (67%) axial images under-evaluated the lesions compared with MPR images. MPR images detected smaller foci than axial images. Air-bone gap at 0.5–4 kHz tended to increase dependently on the extension of fenestral lesions evaluated by MPR images.

Conclusion

MPR images detected fenestral lesions in otosclerosis more frequently and more precisely than axial images. The extent of fenestral lesions observed on MPR images tends to be related to the degree of conductive hearing loss.     

Revision surgery for chronic otitis media: Characteristics and outcomes in comparison with primary surgery

Objectives

To analyze the characteristics and outcomes of revision surgery for chronic otitis media (COM) with or without cholesteatoma, and to compare with those of primary surgery.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was performed on 208 patients who underwent revision surgery for COM over an 8-year period (1997–2004) and 51 patients who underwent a primary canal wall down mastoidectomy (CWDM), and were followed for more than 12 months.

Results

Recurrent or residual cholesteatoma was found in 49.5% of cases. The mastoid tip and perisinal air cells were the most frequent sites of residual air cells. As a result of revision surgery, a dry and safe ear was achieved in 88.5% of patients. A residual air–bone gap (ABG) of ≤30 dB was achieved in 70.1% of cases with a revision CWDM with ossiculoplasty. In comparison with 51 patients who underwent primary CWDM, the disease control rate was not different. However, postoperative hearing result after ossiculoplasty was worse and longer healing time was required after revision surgery.

Conclusion

The characteristics and surgical outcome of recurrent COM must be fully understood for complete control of the disease.     

Effect of intratympanic dexamethasone administration on cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in adult guinea pigs

Objective

To evaluate the effect and safety of intratympanic dexamethasone administration on cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in adult male guinea pigs and to assess the differences between early and late protection from this ototoxicity.

Methods

Forty eight adult male guinea pigs were divided as follows: group I served as control group. Group II was subjected to intratympanic saline (subgroup IIa) or dexamethasone (subgroup IIb) injection. Group III was intraperitoneally injected with cisplatin. Groups IV and V were subjected first to intratympanic dexamethasone administration in both ears for 5 days starting 1 day and 1 h – respectively – before cisplatin intraperitoneal injection.

Results

Dexamethasone intratympanic injection revealed similar functional and structural results compared with control. Cisplatin intraperitoneal injection resulted in a profound cochlear functional and structural damage in group III. Non-significant otoprotection resulted from intratympanic dexamethasone administration one day before cisplatin. Intratympanic dexamethasone injection 1 h before cisplatin treatment resulted in a significant preservation of the functional and structural properties of the cochlea.

Conclusion

Intratympanic dexamethasone administration is a safe, easy and efficient way to protect from cisplatin ototoxicity especially when administered 1 h before cisplatin treatment.