ABSTRACT
Abstract Introduction High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans of the temporal bone are used to assess the bony erosion of the middle-ear structures whenever cholesteatoma is suspected. Objective To study the differences in HRCT Hounsfield unit (HU) index measurements of middle-ear bony structures between an ears with and without cholesteatoma. Methods A retrospective study of 59 patients who underwent surgery due to unilateral cholesteatoma. The HRCT HU index of the scutum, of three middle-ear ossicles, of the lateral semicircular canal (LSCC), and of the fallopian canal was measured in both ears. A comparison was made between the cholesteatoma and the non-cholesteatomatous ear (control). All measurements were conducted by an otolaryngologist. To assess the interobserver bias, 10% of the samples were randomly and independently assessed by another otolaryngologist and a neuroradiologist who were blinded. Results The average HU index was lower in the ear with cholesteatoma when compared with the non-cholesteatomatous ear. While the differences were statistically significant regarding the measurements of the scutum (516.02 ± 311.693 versus 855.64 ± 389.999; p = 0.001), the malleus (1049.44 ± 481.765 versus 1413.47 ± 313.376; p = 0.01), and the incus (498.03 ± 264.184 versus 714.25 ± 405.631; p = 0.001), the differences in the measurements of the LSCC (1042.34 ± 301.066 versus 1154.53 ± 359.609; p = 0.69) and of the fallopian canal (467.19 ± 221.556 versus 543.51 ± 263.573; p = 0.108) were not significantly different between both groups. The stapes was immeasurable in both groups due to its small size. Conclusion Hounsfield unit index measurements are a useful tool that may aid in the diagnosis of early-stage cholesteatoma.
ABSTRACT
Abstract Introduction Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major pathogen of otogenic meningitis (OgM), the most commonly reported intra-cranial complication of otitis media (OM). Objectives To study the changes in adult OgM patients in the pneumococcal conjugated vaccines (PCVs) era. Methods Retrospective cohort of adults presenting with concurrent OM and meningitis in a secondary medical care center between 2005 and 2015. Data collected included demographics, OM-related symptoms, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and ear culture results, pre- and during hospitalization antibiotic treatment, imaging findings, and complications. We compared the pre-PCV years (2005-2009) with the post-PCV years (2010-2015). Outcomes were 1) incidence of all-cause adult OgM from the total meningitis cases; 2) impact of PCVs on the clinical presentation of OgM and bacteriology. Results Otogenic meningitis was diagnosed in 26 out of 45 (58%) cases of all-cause meningitis admissions. Of those, 10 (38%) were male, with a mean age of 62.4 years old. Ear-related signs and symptoms were documented in 70% of the patients, and OgM was diagnosed following imaging studies in 6 out of 26 (23%) patients. All of the patients received intravenous antibiotic therapy, and 7 (27%) patients required surgical interventions: 6 required myringotomy and 1 required mastoidectomy. There were 12 (46%) patients in the pre-PCV years and 14 (56%) in the post-PCV years. The positive pneumococcal CSF and ear culture rates remained high and unchanged (~ 75%). There were no significant changes in the clinical presentation or mortality rates. Conclusion Micro-otoscopy should be included in the routine work-up of any suspected adult meningitis, because OgM is underdiagnosed. Unlike their impact on pediatric otitismedia, PCVs did not change the epidemiology and bacteriology of OgM.