Effect of malleostapedotomy procedure on 17 cases of congenital middle ear malformation / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: To conclude the clinical features and the postoperative efficacy of congenital middle ear malformation treated with Malleostapedotomy (MS), and to explore the security and effectiveness of MS surgery. Methods: The clinical data of 17 patients (18 ears) with congenital middle ear malformation undergoing MS procedure were analyzed. There were 10 males (11 ears) and 7 females (7 ears), aged from 7 to 48 years. The imaging examination, pure-tone audiometry, intraoperative findings and postoperative hearing improvement of these patients were analyzed and summarized, and software SPSS23.0 was used for statistical analysis. Rusults All the 17 patients (18 ears) presented with hearing loss since childhood on the affected sides. Preoperative high resolution CT (HRCT) of the temporal bone revealed definite malformations in 9 ears (6 ears with incus long process dysplasia and 3 ears with anterior and posterior crus dysplasia). Before surgery, the mean bone conductive hearing threshold at 500, 1 000, 2 000 and 4 000 Hz was (15.6±10.2) dB HL, the mean air conductive hearing threshold was (60.6±9.7) dB HL, and the mean air-bone gap was (45.0±8.9) dB. During the surgery, all 18 ears were found to be accompanied by absence or hypoplasia of incus long process. 12 ears had stapes fixation, 6 ears had oval window atresia. All patients were treated with MS procedure by using Piston. The patients were followed up for 3 months to 1 year. The mean bone conductive hearing threshold was (14.7±8.8) dB HL. The mean air conductive hearing threshold was (37.7±11.6) dB HL, and the mean air-bone gap was (23.0±8.0) dB. There were statistically significant differences in the mean air conductive hearing threshold and mean air-bone gap before and after surgery (P<0.05). While there were no statistically significant differences in the mean bone conductive hearing threshold before and after surgery (P=0.550). Conclusions: MS procedure is safe and reliable in patients with congenital middle ear malformation of incus long process dysplasia, stapes fixation or oval window atresia. HRCT is useful in evaluating the major deformity of ossicular chain and facial nerve deformity. However, it is not enough to evaluate the joint of incus-stapes and oval window atresia. MS surgery in middle ear malformation requires advanced surgical experience and skills. The hearing improvement can be significant, even though some air-bone gap after surgery exist.

Evaluation of unilateral and bilateral bimodal bone conduction hearing intervention in patients with bilateral microtia-atresia / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objectives: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of unilateral/bilateral bone conduction hearing rehabilitation in patients with bilateral microtia accompanied with severe conductive hearing loss following staged auricle reconstruction and bonebridge implantation. Methods: Thirty-two patients, including 20 males and 12 females, with an average age of 11.8, who received surgical treatment in Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) from March, 2016 to January, 2020 with bilateral microtia-atresia were included. Hearing thresholds, speech perception and high-resolution CT of the temporal bone were evaluated prior to surgery and individualized surgery plans (staged auricle reconstruction and bonebridge implantation) were made. Hearing thresholds and speech perception in quiet and noise (SNR = 5 dB) using unilateral Bonebridge were tested two weeks after the implantation surgery when the Bonebridge was activated and at 3th, 6th, 12th month after activation. Hearing thresholds and speech perception were also tested at least three months after the activation of the Bonebridge under three conditions: unaided, unilateral Bonebridge, and bilateral bone conduction hearing devices (Bonebridge plus contralateral ADHEAR). The international hearing aid assessment questionnaire (IOI-HA) and Glasgow children's benefit questionnaire were used to evaluate the subjective benefits of the patients. SPSS 21.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: Among these 32 patients, nine were conducted Bonebridge implantation surgery before auricle reconstruction, six were simultaneously with auricle reconstruction and 17 were implanted after auricle reconstruction surgery. Compared with unaided, the mean hearing thresholds (0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz) and speech perception following unilateral BCHD and bilateral BCHD attachment were improved significantly (P<0.05 each). The speech perceptin in noise of bilateral BCHD was better than unilateral (P<0.05 each). The modified questionnaire revealed high levels of patient satisfaction following use of both unilateral and bilateral devices. Conclusions: Individulized surgical procedures involving auricle reconstruction and Bonebridge implantation are safe and effective for patients with bilateral microtia-atresia, solving both appearance and hearing problems. Speech perception in noise is better following bilateral BCHD than unilateral BCHD attachment.

Analysis of clinical characteristics of middle ear osteoma at different locations / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics, intervention and treatment of tympanic osteoma at different locations. Methods: The medical history, audiological and imaging examination, operation and follow-up results of two patients with tympanic osteoma at different sites were reviewed and summarized. Furthermore, the clinical characteristics and interventions of 36 patients reported in literatures with tympanic osteomas were also summarized and analyzed. Results: Osteoma of the two patients collected in this study located at promontory and incus respectively;both of them presented with intact tympanum and conductive deafness, without obvious etiology or predisposing factor. Both of them underwent surgeries and the hearing improved significantly. For patient one, the ossicular chain was intact and restored to activity after removed the osteoma. For patient two, an artificial ossicle was implanted after removed the osteoma and incus. In the 36 patients reported in literatures, the average age was 26.5 years, and 39.47% of them located at promontory; in addition, the main symptoms of them were progressive hearing loss, tinnitus and ear stuffy. Conclusions: Patients with tympanic osteoma are characterized by conduction deafness with intact tympanic membrane, and the most common lesion is promontory. Hearing can be restored by excision of the osteoma and maintenance or reconstruction of the ossicle chain.

Revisión sobre el manejo de atresia de conducto auditivo externo mediante el uso de dispositivos auditivos implantables osteointegrados: a propósito de un caso exitoso con un implante Bonebridge® / Review of the management of external auditory canal atresia using osseo integrated implantable hearing devices: report of a successful case with Bonebridge® implant

La atresia de conducto auditivo externo tiene una incidencia de 1 por 1.000 ó 2.000 nacidos vivos, predominantemente unilateral. Su manejo actual es controversial, en especial la cirugía de reconstrucción. En el último tiempo se han desarrollado dispositivos osteointegrados, que han revolucionado el tratamiento y cuestionado la indicación de cirugía. El liderazgo por un tiempo importante lo ha tenido el dispositivo tipo BAHA, pero que ha tenido problemas en el largo plazo, principalmente en relación con el tornillo del implante. En respuesta a estos problemas, se ha diseñado un nuevo implante osteointegrado de nombre Bonebridge®, con beneficios frente a su antecesor. Como en nuestro medio se tiene poca experiencia en este dispositivo se presenta una revisión a propósito de un caso clínico exitoso. El caso corresponde a un paciente de 18 años con hipoacusia de conducción máxima bilateral congénita, con diagnóstico de atresia de conducto auditivo externo bilateral, con inadecuada ganancia auditiva del cintillo óseo tradicional. Tanto la revisión bibliográfica como el caso clínico nos permiten aseverar que Bonebridge® corresponde a tratamiento adecuado en el manejo de la atresia del conducto auditivo externo, con ciertos beneficios sobre otros dispositivos y la cirugía.

The external auditory canal atresia has an incidence of 1 per 1000 or 2000 live births predominantly unilateral. Its management is controversial, especially with the decision of reconstructive surgery. Lately, have developed osseo integrated bone conduction devices, which have come to revolutionize the treatment and questioning the indication for surgery. The leadership for a long time its has had it the BAHA device type, but has several problems in long-term, mainly in relation to the screw used in the implant. In response to this problems, was designed a new osseo integrated implant named Bonebridge®, showing benefits over its predecessor. As in our setting there is little experience with this device, we present a review about a successful clinical case. The case is a patient of 18 years with a maximal bilateral hearing loss caused by a congenital bilateral atresia of the external auditory canal, and inadequate audition gain with traditional bone headband. As much the bibliographical overhaul as the clinical case allows to assert that Bone-bridge® corresponds to an alternative of treatment in the atresia of the external auditory canal and with certain benefits by on the other devices, as the surgery.

Role of ecochg in identification and management of endolymphatic hydrops in stapedial and cochlear otosclerosis

Otosclerosis is accompanied with vestibular symptoms in many cases. In 1968 black et al, discovered the co existence of endolymphatic hydrops with Otosclerosis. Many researchers tried to find out correlation between air conduction thresholds and endolymphatic potentials [Gibson and Arenberg,1997; soliman et al, 1999], but few research work tried to find out such a correlation with bone conduction thresholds. This research work was designed to study changes in endolymphatic potentials in conductive and mixed hearing loss associating vertigo in otosclerotic patients. Moreover, to correlate between the bone conduction thresholds and the electrocochleographic potentials ratio in both groups. 40 patients diagnosed as having Otosclerosis were included in the current study 20 patients with Conductive hearing loss and complaining of vertigo [GC]. 20 patients with mixed hearing loss and complaining of vertigo [GM] with 20 normal subjects acted as a control group [GN]. Results of the current study showed a high incidence of endolymphatic hydrops in patients with Otosclerosis. In spite of the increased incidence of endolymphatic hydrops in patients with cochlear Otosclerosis, than in patients with purely stapedial Otosclerosis, no statistically significant difference could be reached. Moreover, no direct correlation could be elicited between bone conduction thresholds and SP/AP amplitude ratio in either group

Resultados da cirurgia para otospongiose com dois tipos de prótese em procedimentos realizados por residentes / Results of stapes surgery for otosclerosis with two kinds of prothesis in residency training

A cirurgia do estapédio é um dos tratamentos indicados para a melhora da surdez condutiva secundária à otospongiose. O procedimento requer habilidade e experiência do cirurgião e faz parte do treinamento durante a residência médica. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar qual tipo de prótese (teflon ou mista de metal e aço) apresenta melhores os resultados auditivos em cirurgias realizadas por residentes e a incidência de complicações. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Foram avaliadas retrospectivamente 189 intervenções cirúrgicas que tiveram participação ativa de residentes, comparando-se os dois tipos de prótese utilizados. Os resultados audiométricos foram analisados conforme orientação do Committee on Hearing and Equilibrium e segundo o Amsterdam Hearing Evaluation Plots. RESULTADOS: O gap aéreo-ósseo diminuiu em média 21,90 dB (p<0,05) após o procedimento cirúrgico no grupo da prótese de teflon e 21,37 dB (p<0,05) no grupo da prótese mista, sendo o ganho do IRF de 22,33 e 26,10 dB (p<0,05), e o gap aéreo-ósseo foi inferior a 20 dB em 80,6 por cento e 85,04 por cento, respectivamente. CONCLUSÕES: Não evidenciamos diferenças no resultado audiométrico e na incidência de complicações quando comparamos o tipo de prótese utilizada. Acreditamos ser válida a execução desse procedimento em serviços de treinamento de médicos residentes, independente do tipo de prótese.

Stapes surgery is one of the approaches indicated to treat conductive hearing loss secondary to otosclerosis. The procedures requires skill and experience from the surgeon and is part of medical residency training. AIMS: To assess which type of prosthesis (Teflon or metal/steel) presents the best results in surgeries performed by residents and the incidence of complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: we retrospectively assessed 189 interventions that counted on the active participation of resident physicians, and we compared the two types of prosthesis used. Audiometric results were analyzed following the guidelines from the Committee on Hearing and Equilibrium and also according to the Amsterdam Hearing Evaluation Plots. RESULTS: Bone-air gap reduced in an average value of 21.90 dB (p<0.05) after the surgery in the group that received the Teflon prosthesis and 21.37 dB (p<0.05) in the group that received the mixed prosthesis, and gain in SRI was of 22.33 and 26.10 dB (p<0.05), and the air-bone gap was below 20 dB in 80.6 percent and 85.04 percent, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We did not see differences in the audiometry and in the incidence of complications when we compared the type of prosthesis used. We believe it is valid to continue teaching this procedure in medical residency training programs, regardless of the type of prosthesis.

Efeito da timpanoplastia no zumbido de pacientes com hipoacusia condutiva: seguimento de seis meses / The effect of timpanoplasty on tinnitus in patients with conductive hearing loss: a six month follow-up

O timpanoplastia tem como objetivos erradicar a doença da orelha média e restaurar os mecanismos de condução sonora. Contudo, alguns pacientes apresentam incômodo com o zumbido e muitas vezes questionam o médico sobre os resultados da cirurgia em relação ao zumbido. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a evolução do zumbido em pacientes com hipoacusia condutiva após timpanoplastia. Forma de Estudo: Coorte prospectiva. CASUíSTICA E MÉTODO: Foram avaliados 23 pacientes com queixa de zumbido e diagnóstico de otite média crônica simples com indicação cirúrgica. Os pacientes foram submetidos a um protocolo de investigação médica e audiológica do zumbido antes, 30 e 180 dias após a timpanoplastia. RESULTADOS: 82,6 por cento dos pacientes apresentaram melhora ou abolição do zumbido. Melhora significante do incômodo do zumbido no pré-operatório (5,26) em relação ao pós-operatório (1,91 com 30 e 180 dias), assim como entre o incômodo da perda auditiva pré-operatória (6,56) e pós-operatória (3,65 e 2,91). A audiometria revelou melhora do limiar tonal em todas as freqüências, com exceção de 8KHz, havendo fechamento ou gap máximo de 10dB NA em 61 por cento dos casos. Pega total do enxerto em 78 por cento dos casos. CONCLUSÃO: Além da melhora da perda auditiva, a timpanoplastia também proporciona bons resultados sobre o controle do zumbido.

Tympanoplasty is done to eradicate ear pathology and to restore the conductive hearing mechanism (eardrum and ossicles). Some patients, however, do not tolerate tinnitus and question physicians about the results of surgery when tinnitus persists. AIM: to evaluate the progression of tinnitus in patients with conductive hearing loss after tympanoplasty. STUDY DESIGN: a prospective cohort study. Material and Methods: 23 consecutive patients with tinnitus due to chronic otitis media underwent tympanoplasty. The patients underwent a medical and audiological protocol for tinnitus before and after tympanoplasty. RESULTS: 82.6 percent of patients had improvement or elimination of tinnitus after tympanoplasty The mean score of postoperative intolerance to tinnitus (1.91 for 30 and 180 days) was significantly different from preoperative scores (5.26). As to hearing loss, patients improved medically 30 and 180 days after surgery (3.65 and 2.91) compared to the preoperative condition (6.56). Audiometry revealed improvement at all frequencies from 0.25 to 6KHz, except at 8KHz. The air-bone gap was closed or was within 10dB in 14 cases (61 percent). An intact tympanic membrane was achieved in 78 percent of the cases. CONCLUSION: Aside from the classical improvement of hearing loss, tympanoplasty also offers good control of tinnitus.

Test en implante coclear: experiencia clínica pre y postlingüística / Test on cochlear implant: pre and post linguistic clinical experience

Se presenta la experiencia clínica con un implante coclear de tipo monocanal, en 8 pacientes con hipoacusia sensorio-neural intensa y un paciente con hipoacusia de conducción, que permite evidenciar una transmisión inteligente y adecuada de la señal auditiva. Se registran los potenciales evocados auditivos con estimulación eléctrica (EBERA), objetivándose su respuesta a ésta. Mediante un puente electrónico especialmente diseñado se controla la continuidad del circuito bioeléctrico. El análisis de la onda compleja del potencial evocado auditivo obtenido en personas normales permite calcular los parámetros adecuados para la inyección de la señal bioeléctrica con la prótesis diseñada. La técnica presentada ha demostrado un buen rendimiento cuando se eliminan factores no controlables en los pacientes elegidos, a lo que se agrega su bajo costo.

Timpanoplastía tipo III / Type III tympanoplasty

La timpanoplastía tipo III es una técnica quirúrgica reconstructiva de los mecanismos de conducción del oído medio cuando existe una discontinuidad incudo-estapedial. Según la patología osicular existente, las timpanoplastías tipo III se subdividen en clásica, III A y III B. Se realiza un estudio retrospectivo de 29 cirugías (27 pacientes) correspondientes al período 1993-2003. El abordaje quirúrgico más frecuente fue el retroauricular, y la fascia temporal fue el tejido más utilizado para reparar la membrana timpánica. El defecto osicular encontrado más a menudo fue la erosión de la apófisis larga del yunque, en el 57,7 por ciento de los casos. La osiculoplastía más frecuente fue la maleoloestapediopexia con interposición de yunque (51,9 por ciento). Se obtuvo un éxito anatómico de 88,9 por ciento, y un éxito auditivo de 69,2 por ciento. Las timpanoplastías III A se asociaron, en forma no significativa, a un mayor éxito auditivo que las III B. La conservación de la pared posterior del conducto auditivo externo se asoció significativamente a un mejor resultado auditivo. No se demostró diferencias entre las diferentes alternativas de osiculoplastía en timpanoplastías III A, mientras que en las 3 B, el uso de prótesis sintética (TORP) exhibió un mejor resultado que la utilización de autoinjertos.

Estapedectomía de revisión / Revision stapedectomy

El fracaso en la corrección de la hipoacusia de conducción en la Otoesclerosis posterior a una estapedectomía o la reaparición de un nuevo foco son indicaciones para la realización de una Estapedectomía de Revisión. El análisis de estos casos implica la selección del paciente, los factores relacionados al cirujano y la evolución postoperatoria. En el presente estudio se presentan 22 casos de estapedectomía de revisión en un lapso de siete años, analizando los hallazgos quirúrgicos de la cirugía de revisión y la evolución posterior. Los hallazgos quirúrgicos más importantes fueron la presencia de nuevo foco de otoesclerosis y la presencia de bridas entre la cadena osicular y las paredes de la caja timpánica. En ninguno de los pacientes se encontró fístula perilinfática. La mitad de los pacientes (50 por ciento) refirió ganancia auditiva posterior a la revisión, con cierre de la diferencia aéreo-ósea en 10 dB; en 27.3 por ciento no hubo cambios y en 22.7 por ciento aumentó la hipoacusia. Se concluye que la selección adecuada de los pacientes permite disminuir la incidencia de estapedectomías de revisión, la cual tendrá un éxito menor que la estapedectomía primaria.

Fisiopatologia da surdez de conduçäo / Physiopathology conductive deafness

A fisiopatologia da surdez de conduçäo é explicada pelos diversos tipos de alteraçöes que podem ocorrer no mecanismo tímpano-ossicular. O tema avulta em importância porque a surdez de conduçäo representa deficiência auditiva que pode ser recuperada por cirurgia na grande maioria dos casos. O conhecimento da fisiologia da audiçäo e os recursos empregados no exame otológico permiten diagnósticos da causa da surdez e a aplicaçäo de métodos capazes de promover, com sucesso, a transmissäo sonora dos pacientes