In vivo study measuring middle ear pressure during various stages of Eustachian tube balloon dilation.

OBJECTIVE: Documentation of middle ear pressure at different stages of balloon Eustachian tuboplasty and assessing risk of barotrauma with this procedure. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Middle ear pressure measurements in patients undergoing balloon Eustachian tuboplasty at the time of pre-insertion, catheter insertion, inflation, one minute post inflation, deflation, and catheter withdrawal, as well as documentation of pressure change in the middle ear between different stages. RESULTS: A total of 24 patients and 45 Eustachian tubes, 11 females and 13 males, with an average age of 55.6 years were included in this study. Middle ear pressure values during the active stages of the procedure varied from -356 to +159 daPa. The overall greatest negative pressure change measured was -515 daPa from catheter insertion to immediately post balloon inflation. The overall greatest positive pressure change measured was +418 daPa from immediate catheter inflation to one minute post inflation. CONCLUSIONS: There was no consistent pattern of middle ear pressure change noted during the different stages of balloon Eustachian tuboplasty as both positive and negative middle ear pressure changes were noted at the time of balloon dilation. Dangerous levels of middle ear pressure raising concern for barotrauma were not identified during the procedure. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Cavernous hemangioma of the submandibular gland with parapharyngeal extension in an adult: Case report.

Cavernous hemangiomas of the submandibular gland are rare. Signs and symptoms typically resemble those of sialolithiasis and chronic sialadenitis. If a lesion extends into the parapharyngeal space, otalgia and sore throat can result. Spontaneous regression is not a characteristic of cavernous hemangiomas. Surgical excision is a management option. We report the case of an adult with a submandibular gland cavernous hemangioma with parapharyngeal extension.

Unilateral Vocal Cord Motion Impairment After 1 Dose of Vincristine: Case Report and Literature Review.

Vocal cord paralysis after administration of the chemotherapeutic agent vincristine is a rare occurrence. Most occurrences are bilateral. Of the 24 cases referenced in this article, 19 are children. In all the reported cases, symptoms have occurred after multiple doses of vincristine have been administered. The authors report a case of a 39-year-old woman with unilateral vocal cord motion impairment occurring 3 days after the administration of the first dose of vincristine. This is the first case of vocal cord motion impairment reported after the administration of only 1 dose of this drug.

Eosinophilic Mucin Otomastoiditis and Otopolyposis: A Progressive Form of Eosinophilic Otitis Media.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to introduce and define a disease entity on a continuum of eosinophilic otitis media: eosinophilic mucin otomastoiditis and otopolyposis. METHODS: A case of a 66-year-old woman with complicated chronic otitis media is reported. A literature review of the National Library of Medicine's online database, with a focus on eosinophilic otitis media and eosinophilic mucin rhinosinusitis, was performed. RESULTS: The authors report the case of a 66-year-old woman with a history of asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis, nasal polyposis, and chronic otitis media who presented with allergic middle ear mucin and otic polyps. Treatment involved a tympanomastoidectomy with removal of otic polyps and steroid therapy. CONCLUSION: Eosinophilic mucin otomastoiditis with otopolyposis is a disease entity on a continuum of eosinophilic otitis media. This disease process shares similarities with eosinophilic mucin rhinosinusitis. Otic polypectomy and steroids are suggested therapeutic measures.

Congenital intralabyrinthine cholesteatoma.

A patient with a congenital intralabyrinthine cholesteatoma is presented. High-resolution computerized tomographic scans and intraoperative photomicrographs display features of intralabyrinthine extension. We discuss pathogenetic theories for the development of congenital intralabyrinthine cholesteatoma. The distinction of this condition from congenital cholesteatoma with labyrinthine erosion is discussed.

Feasibility of endoscopic treatment of middle ear myoclonus: a cadaveric study.

Stapedius and tensor tympani tenotomy is a relatively simple surgical procedure commonly performed to control pulsatile tinnitus due to middle ear myoclonus and for several other indications. We designed a cadaveric study to assess the feasibility of an entirely endoscopic approach to stapedius and tensor tympani tenotomy. We performed this endoscopic ear surgery in 10 cadaveric temporal bones and summarized our experience. Endoscopic stapedius and tensor tympani section is a new, minimally invasive treatment option for middle ear myoclonus that should be considered as the first line surgical approach in patients who fail medical therapy. The use of an endoscopic approach allows for easier access and vastly superior visualization of the relevant anatomy, which in turn allows the surgeon to minimize tissue dissection. The entire operation, including raising the tympanomeatal flap and tendon section, can be safely completed under visualization with a rigid endoscope.

MRI information for commonly used otologic implants: review and update.

OBJECTIVE: To review information on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) issues for commonly used otologic implants. DATA SOURCES: Manufacturing companies, National Library of Medicine's online database, and an additional online database (www.MRIsafety.com). REVIEW METHODS: A literature review of the National Library of Medicine's online database with focus on MRI issues for otologic implants was performed. The MRI information on implants provided by manufacturers was reviewed. RESULTS: Baha and Ponto Pro osseointegrated implants' abutment and fixture and the implanted magnet of the Sophono Alpha 1 and 2 abutment-free systems are approved for 3-Tesla magnetic resonance (MR) systems. The external processors of these devices are MR Unsafe. Of the implants tested, middle ear ossicular prostheses, including stapes prostheses, except for the 1987 McGee prosthesis, are MR Conditional for 1.5-Tesla (and many are approved for 3-Tesla) MR systems. Cochlear implants with removable magnets are approved for patients undergoing MRI at 1.5 Tesla after magnet removal. The MED-EL PULSAR, SONATA, CONCERT, and CONCERT PIN cochlear implants can be used in patients undergoing MRI at 1.5 Tesla with application of a protective bandage. The MED-EL COMBI 40+ can be used in 0.2-Tesla MR systems. Implants made from nonmagnetic and nonconducting materials are MR Safe. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of MRI guidelines for commonly used otologic implants is important. Guidelines on MRI issues approved by the US Food and Drug Administration are not always the same compared with other parts of the world. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This monograph provides a current reference for physicians on MRI issues for commonly used otologic implants.

Malignant transformation of respiratory papillomatosis in a solid-organ transplant patient: case report and literature review.

We report the case of a 77-year-old non-smoker and non-drinker with a solid-organ transplant who had malignant transformation of respiratory papillomatosis 3 years after the initial diagnosis of this benign lesion. This is the first case reported in the literature of malignant transformation of respiratory papillomatosis in a solid-organ transplant patient. Virus-associated cutaneous cancers occur more frequently and aggressively in solid-organ transplant patients. There may be a higher rate of malignant transformation of respiratory papillomatosis in immunosuppressed patients, as this is a virus-associated disease. Closer observation, airway evaluation with laryngoscopy and tracheobronchoscopy, and interval biopsies of immunosuppressed patients with respiratory papillomatosis is recommended.

Unilateral true vocal fold synkinesis presenting with airway obstruction.

OBJECTIVES: We present a case series of 10 patients with unilateral true vocal fold paralysis who presented with airway obstruction. METHODS: A retrospective review of the authors' patients at 2 institutions with unilateral true vocal fold motion impairment was carried out over a 10-year period. Of these, 10 patients were identified who presented with stridor and dyspnea as a result of synkinesis. Six cases were a result of thyroidectomy, 1 case resulted from recurrent laryngeal nerve section for spasmodic dysphonia, 1 case occurred after anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion, and in 2 cases no cause was identified. RESULTS: Three patients underwent tracheotomy. Two patients underwent partial arytenoidectomy. Seven patients underwent botulinum toxin injection; 2 were treated with breathing therapy, and in 1 case breathing therapy was recommended. Seven patients underwent treatment with more than 1 method. CONCLUSIONS: Unilateral vocal fold paralysis may present with airway obstruction as a result of synkinesis. Treatment should be incremental and starts with breathing therapy and botulinum toxin injection. Partial arytenoidectomy or tracheotomy may be necessary for refractory cases.

Failed tube extrusion is not a random event in children or their siblings.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: It has been assumed that prolonged retention of tympanostomy tubes was random, with an incidence of 4% to 12% per tube. We have noticed patterns of tube retention that suggested a genetic predilection. We undertook this study to validate or disprove this impression. Such information may shed light on the physiology of tube extrusion and may help better define the risks of tympanostomy tube placement. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective, single-surgeon, statistical analysis. METHODS: A computerized database of approximately 10,000 pediatric otolaryngology patients was queried. We identified all children treated by the senior author during a 6-year period who underwent tube removal for failed extrusion 24 or more months after placement. Siblings with retained tubes and individuals requiring bilateral tube removal were further analyzed: 1) using the law of multiplication of independent factors, the chance of retaining tubes in both ears of an individual was compared with the observed rate of bilateral retention by calculating the difference in Poisson rates; 2) the rate of siblings who retained one or both tubes was compared with nonsiblings who retained one or both tubes using the Z test for independent proportions. RESULTS: The observed rate of bilateral retention (228/6,000 = 0.038) far exceeded the theoretical rate (0.068 = 0.0046; P < .001). Siblings were more likely to retain tubes than nonsiblings (difference = 0.042; P = .085). This difference was more pronounced in unilateral (difference = 0.048; P = .014) than in bilateral retention (difference = 0.005; P = .856). CONCLUSIONS: Tympanostomy tube retention is not a random occurrence. Patterns of nonextrusion in individuals and siblings suggest a genetic mechanism. Implications for patient counseling and research are discussed.