Facial Palsy Secondary to Cholesteatoma: A Case-Series of 14 Patients.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate patients with middle ear cholesteatoma presenting with facial palsy (FP). MATERIAL-METHODS: A total of 14 subjects (10 males and 4 females), with a mean age of 42.5 years, were included in our study. The majority of patients presented with incomplete FP (House-Brackmann HB II-IV, 11 cases) and the remaining 3 patients had complete facial paralysis (HB V-VI). A canal wall down mastoidectomy was performed in all the patients, followed by partial facial nerve decompression. RESULTS: At the one-year follow-up, eleven (78.5%) patients demonstrated satisfactory recovery to HB I-II. Facial function recovered to HB grade I-II in 9 (100%) patients who were surgically treated within one month, and in 2 (40%) patients who underwent surgery after one month. The tympanic segment of facial nerve was the most common site of involvement (8 patients). The multiple regression analysis showed that a higher preoperative HB grade combined with a gradual than sudden onset of FP more likely resulted in worse postoperative HB grade. CONCLUSION: Early surgical removal of cholesteatoma associated with FP is more likely to result in good facial nerve recovery (78.5% of cases), when it is performed within one month from the onset of FP. According to the literature, the tympanic segment of the facial nerve was more frequently damaged (77.7%), followed by the mastoid segment (22.9%), labyrinthine segment (11.1%), and geniculate ganglion (11.1%). Labyrinthine fistula, mainly of the lateral semicircular canal, can be expected in cases of facial nerve dehiscence. The canal wall down mastoidectomy combined with partial decompression surgery was the most preferred surgical treatment for the FP secondary to cholesteatoma.

Autoimmune Hearing Loss: A Diagnostic Challenge.

Autoimmune hearing loss (AIHL) is a clinical disease and may involve the deposition of immune complexes in the labyrinth vessels, the activation of the complement system, the functional alteration in T-cell subpopulations, or an inflammation process in the inner ear [...].

Video Head Impulse Test (vHIT): Value of Gain and Refixation Saccades in Unilateral Vestibular Neuritis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate gain and refixation saccades (covert and overt) using a video head impulse test (vHIT) in the horizontal and vertical planes in patients after the onset of unilateral acute vestibular neuritis (AVN). Thirty-five patients were examined in the acute stage of AVN and at follow-up (range, 6-30 months); a control group of 32 healthy subjects also participated. At onset, the mean gain was significantly lower on the affected side in all of the semi-circular canal planes, mainly in the horizontal canal plane, and saccades (covert and overt) were more prevalent in the horizontal compared to the vertical canal planes. Multi-canal affection occurred more frequently (80% for gain, 71% for saccades) than isolated canal affection. At follow-up, which ranged from 6 to 30 months, the gain was recovered in all of the canals (anterior in 50%, horizontal in 42.8%, and posterior canal in 41.1% of cases), while covert and overt saccades were reduced in the horizontal and vertical planes. However, covert saccades were still recorded in a greater proportion (69%) than overt saccades (57%) in the horizontal plane and at a lower rate in the vertical planes. The compensatory mechanisms after AVN mainly involve the horizontal canal, as the refixation saccades-especially covert ones-were more frequently recorded in the horizontal than vertical canals.

Epistaxis in dental and maxillofacial practice: a comprehensive review.

The lifetime incidence of epistaxis in dental and maxillofacial practice has been reported to be as high as 60% and can be caused by dental implant placement, Le Fort I osteotomy, intranasal supernumerary tooth, odontogenic tumors, blood disorders and maxillofacial trauma. Most epistaxis cases are minor and easily managed with direct compression on the nares for 10 minutes. For more significant or recurrent epistaxis, other techniques might include electrocautery, anterior or posterior nasal packing, or Foley catheter balloon. For patients with refractory epistaxis, cauterization of the sphenopalatine artery under endonasal endoscopy or embolization of the internal maxillary artery should be performed. Epistaxis control is required in patients diagnosed with inherited or acquired bleeding disorders or with drug-induced coagulopathies during dental procedures. In these cases, hemostatic system adjustment and hemostasis achieved by local and adjunctive methods are required. Dentists and maxillofacial surgeons must be aware that the nasal cavity is a potential source of perioperative hemorrhage. Depending on the invasiveness of the dental intervention, preoperative involvement of the hematologist and cardiologist is usually necessary to reverse anticoagulation or to cease anticoagulant therapy.

Audiological Patterns in Patients with Autoimmune Hearing Loss.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to illustrate clinical and audiological patterns of hearing impairment in patients with autoimmune hearing loss (AIHL). METHODS: Fifty-three patients with AIHL were retrospectively recruited, and a tapering schema of steroid treatment was administered in all these patients. The diagnosis of AIHL was essentially based on clinical symptoms, such as recurrent, sudden (sensorineural hearing loss [SSHL]), fluctuating, or quickly progressing (<12 months) SSHL (uni-/bilateral), in association with the coexistence of autoimmune diseases, high antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and the presence of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) B27, B35, B51, C04, and C07. Logistic regression analysis was applied to correlate the clinical data and laboratory features of AIHL with final outcomes. RESULTS: The onset of AIHL was mainly progressive (49%), followed by SSHL (39.6%) or fluctuating (11.3%). The pure-tone audiogram showed more commonly a downsloping pattern (42.6% of ears), but also an upsloping, flat, cookie-bite, or inverse cookie-bite shape. Bilateral progressive AIHL was more frequently simultaneous (23 patients) than heterochronous (4 patients). Nineteen patients (35.8%) showed a favorable response to steroid therapy. The presence of recurrent, bilateral SSHL versus recurrent, unilateral SSHL had statistically negative effect on hearing recovery (OR = 0.042, p < 0.05). The heterochronous bilateral SSHL may have better prognosis than simultaneous bilateral SSHL (OR = 10.000, p = 0.099). The gender, age, concomitant autoimmune disease, high ANA, HLA alleles, tinnitus, and vestibular symptoms had no statistical effect on a favorable outcome of AIHL. CONCLUSIONS: A bilateral, simultaneous, and progressive hearing loss combined with downsloping audiogram occurred more often in patients with AIHL. Bilateral simultaneous SSHL with recurrences represents the worse prognostic form of AIHL.

Evaluation of Effects of Diabetes Mellitus, Hypercholesterolemia and Hypertension on Bell's Palsy.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia on the clinical presentation and outcome of Bell's palsy. The study (comorbidity) group consisted of 50 patients with Bell's palsy associated with diabetes, hypertension, or hypercholesterolemia; the control group included 46 patients with Bell's palsy, but without comorbid diseases. The House-Brackmann grading system (I to VI) was used in order to assess the initial and final facial functions. Both groups of patients were treated with steroids and the antiviral agent acyclovir. The mean severity of initial facial paralysis was more significant in diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension, in comparison to the control group. Patients suffering from Bell's palsy and concomitant comorbidities have a poorer prognosis (HB III-VI) compared to patients without comorbidities. Increased glycosylated hemoglobin A1c levels (>6.7%) were significantly correlated with unsatisfactory facial recovery. The pathogenetic mechanisms by which diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension affect the vasa nervosum of facial nerve have been described.

Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) Influence on Prognosis of Autoimmune Hearing Loss.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the effect of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) on hearing outcome in patients suffering from autoimmune hearing loss (AIHL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The diagnosis of AIHL was essentially based on clinical symptoms, such as recurrent, sudden, fluctuating, or quickly progressing (<12 months) sensorineural hearing loss (uni-/bilateral). The molecular typing of HLA alleles was achieved by using polymerase chain reaction procedures. Patients underwent a tapering schema of steroid treatment and audiometric features were recorded. A logistic regression model was used to identify which HLA typing alleles were statistically significant in patients' response to treatment. RESULTS: Forty patients with AIHL were found to be carriers of HLA B27, B35, B51, C4, C7, and DRB1*04 alleles. No statistically significant influence of HLA B27, B35, B51, C4, C7, DRB1*04 HLA alleles typing was detected for the prognosis of AIHL. In these patients, the onset of AIHL was mainly progressive (53.8%), 29.2% of them had moderate hearing loss, and most of the cases had both bilateral hearing loss (62.5%) and downsloping audiogram (40%). CONCLUSION: The presence of HLA B27, B35, B51, C4, C7, and DRB1*04 alleles had no significant effect on a favorable outcome of AIHL. However, larger samples of patients are necessary in order to improve the knowledge about the HLA influence on the clinical course of AIHL.

Odontogenic maxillary sinusitis: A comprehensive review.

Odontogenic maxillary sinusitis (OMS) is a well-recognized condition in both the dental and otolaryngology communities. Close to 30% of cases of unilateral maxillary sinusitis may have an underlying dental pathology. Failure to identify a dental cause usually lead to cases recalcitrant sinusitis often associated with serious complications. The aim of this study is to describe the literature findings on odontogenic maxillary sinusitis that discuss anatomy, epidemiology, etiology, bacteriology, diagnosis and treatment. The present review is based on a current search using bibliographic database and academic search engine. All the articles on odontogenic maxillary sinusitis published after 2000 were included. This study seeks to provide clinicians with evidence that motivates a comprehensive approach to the evaluation and management of OMS. Controversies on diagnosis and management have been addressed and data from different treatment plans were collected by exploring relevant publications. The surgical treatment of OMS is based essentially on the dental surgery, combined with endoscopic sinus surgery, in order to completely remove the infection, restore the physiological drainage of the sinus and prevent recurrences of sinusitis. A multidisciplinary otolaryngology and dental team is mandatory to successfully manage the dental pathology and the complications resulting from the dental treatments.

An acoustic and auditory analysis of vocants in infants with cochlear implants.

INTRODUCTION: The duration of the nuclei is a crucial factor for the shift of prelexical to mature speech, since control of duration is closely related with improved speech intelligibility. OBJECTIVES: This work records the suprasegmental feature of duration in infants with normal hearing (NH) compared to those with cochlear implants (CI) based on vocant productions (quasivowels and full vowels). MATERINALS AND METHODS: In this longitudinal study, 102 vocant productions were analyzed from cases of congenitally hearing-impaired infants (implantation ages 1:4 and 1:11 years; post-implant ages 0:6 months and 1:3 years) who were matched with three NH infants of similar hearing experience (ages 0:8-0:11 months). Current methodology analyzes vocants using a combination of acoustical and auditory analyses. Vegetative data or reflexive sounds were excluded. Participants had had unknown deafness etiology and no other disabilities. Duration was measured using wideband spectrographic analysis, from voice onset to the loss of audible signal and the decrease of higher formant's energy. RESULTS: The results showed that the mean vocant duration of young CI users was longer, compared to hearing matched peers during the first six months after cochlear implantation. CONCLUSIONS: This recorded weakness for CI users' speech production is a challenge for future work in speech processing strategies. This is the first study measuring production of vocants during the pre-linguistic stage in CI recipients.

Hearing Outcome of Low-tone Compared to High-tone Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Abstract Introduction Low-tone sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) is a well-recognized disease, in which the hearing loss is restricted to low frequencies. In contrast to lowtone SSHL, high-tone SSHL is characterized by high-frequency (4,000, 8,000 Hz) hearing loss and preservation of low-, middle-frequency hearing. Objective The objective of this study is to compare the hearing recovery and longterm outcome of low-tone SSHL with those of patients affected by high-tone SSHL in a follow-up of ~ 3 years. Methods The low-tone SSHL and high-tone SSHL groups included 27 and 20 patients, respectively; the patients of both groups were treated with intravenous steroids. Predictive factors (gender, affected side, delay of treatment, follow-up time) were also examined. Results Overall, complete hearing recovery was observed in 77.7% of the patients in the low-tone SSHL group and in 15% of the patients in the high-tone SSHL group. In the high-tone SSHL group, a higher proportion of patients reported tinnitus compared with the low-tone SSHL group (13 cases [65%] versus 3 cases [11%]); however, recurrences were more common in the low-tone SSHL (22%, 6 patients) compared with the hightone SSHL (2 cases [10%]) group. No predictive factor was found to statistically impact on hearing outcome. Conclusion After initial therapy, the low-tone SSHL patients have more favorable hearing outcome than high-tone SSHL patients. However, recurrences occurred more frequently in the low-tone SSHL group, while the high-tone SSHL group was more often accompanied by residual symptoms, such as tinnitus. (AU)

Hearing Outcome of Low-tone Compared to High-tone Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

Introduction Low-tone sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) is a well-recognized disease, in which the hearing loss is restricted to low frequencies. In contrast to low-tone SSHL, high-tone SSHL is characterized by high-frequency (4,000, 8,000 Hz) hearing loss and preservation of low-, middle-frequency hearing. Objective The objective of this study is to compare the hearing recovery and long-term outcome of low-tone SSHL with those of patients affected by high-tone SSHL in a follow-up of ∼ 3 years. Methods The low-tone SSHL and high-tone SSHL groups included 27 and 20 patients, respectively; the patients of both groups were treated with intravenous steroids. Predictive factors (gender, affected side, delay of treatment, follow-up time) were also examined. Results Overall, complete hearing recovery was observed in 77.7% of the patients in the low-tone SSHL group and in 15% of the patients in the high-tone SSHL group. In the high-tone SSHL group, a higher proportion of patients reported tinnitus compared with the low-tone SSHL group (13 cases [65%] versus 3 cases [11%]); however, recurrences were more common in the low-tone SSHL (22%, 6 patients) compared with the high-tone SSHL (2 cases [10%]) group. No predictive factor was found to statistically impact on hearing outcome. Conclusion After initial therapy, the low-tone SSHL patients have more favorable hearing outcome than high-tone SSHL patients. However, recurrences occurred more frequently in the low-tone SSHL group, while the high-tone SSHL group was more often accompanied by residual symptoms, such as tinnitus.

Predictive factors of patients' general quality of life after nasal septoplasty.

PURPOSE: Although septoplasty is considered to be the definitive treatment of septal deviation and is associated with an increase of nasal patency, patients are not always satisfied with the surgical outcome as assessed by its effect on their general Quality of Life (QOL).The aim of this study was to identify the predictive factors that influence the patients' QOL after surgery. METHODS: 60 patients with nasal obstruction and septal deviation were enrolled in this prospective study, and they all completed the follow-up survey of 6 postoperative months. Symptom severity (Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation-NOSE, Sino nasal outcome test 22-SNOT-22), sleep quality (Epworth Sleepiness Scale-ESS), olfactory function (Threshold Discrimination Identification-TDI score), voice quality (Nasalance score and Voice Handicap Index-VHI), stress (SQ test) and emotional status (Beck Depression Index-BDI) were evaluated as predictive factors of patients' QOL (Glasgow Benefit Inventory-GBI) postoperatively. We also analyzed age, gender, smoking, socioeconomic status, type of septal deviation and changes of nasal patency (with the use of rhinomanometry, acoustic rhinometry, and peak nasal inspiratory flow). RESULTS: From all the analyzed parameters, the nasal obstruction symptom severity, the sleep quality, and stress levels were only significantly associated with patients' overall QOL (p < 0.05; univariate analysis). However, on multiple regression, positive changes in NOSE score (OR 15.09, 95% CI 1.47-22.64, p < 0.05) and SQ test (OR 4, 95% CI 1.12-14.3, p < 0.05) were only related with higher likelihood of participants' QOL improvement after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Thorough preoperative evaluation of the symptom severity and stress levels is critical as these two factors are predictive of patient's satisfaction after septoplasty.

Cornelia De Lange Syndrome and Cochlear Implantation.

INTRODUCTION: Literature regarding the different degrees of hearing loss in patients with Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CDLS) reports that half of the affected patients exhibit severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss. We present the first pre-school child with CDLS who underwent cochlear implantation for congenital profound sensorineural hearing loss. CASE REPORT: A 3-year-old boy with CDLS underwent unilateral cochlear implantation for bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss. He had characteristic facial features, bushy eyebrows and synophrys, limb anomalies, growth and mental retardation. Based on the results of postoperative speech perception and production tests, his gain in language skills and expressive vocabulary was modest. However, a cochlear implantation had a significant effect on auditory development, in terms of making him aware of sound localization and the different types of environmental sound. CONCLUSION: Criteria for cochlear implantation are expanding and now include children with disabilities in addition to deafness, such as those with CDLS. Profoundly hearing-impaired children affected by borderline mental retardation should be considered as potential candidates for cochlear implantation.

Speech perception and production in children with inner ear malformations after cochlear implantation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the speech perception and speech intelligibility outcome after cochlear implantation in children with malformed inner ear and to compare them with a group of congenitally deaf children implantees without inner ear malformation. METHODS: Six deaf children (five boys and one girl) with inner ear malformations who were implanted and followed in our clinic were included. These children were matched with six implanted children with normal cochlea for age at implantation and duration of cochlear implant use. All subjects were tested with the internationally used battery tests of listening progress profile (LiP), capacity of auditory performance (CAP), and speech intelligibility rating (SIR). A closed and open set word perception test adapted to the Modern Greek language was also used. In the dysplastic group, two children suffered from CHARGE syndrome, another two from mental retardation, and two children grew up in bilingual homes. RESULTS: At least two years after switch-on, the dysplastic group scored mean LiP 62%, CAP 3.8, SIR 2.1, closed-set 61%, and open-set 49%. The children without inner ear dysplasia achieved significantly better scores, except for CAP which this difference was marginally statistically significant (p=0.009 for LiP, p=0.080 for CAP, p=0.041 for SIR, p=0.011 for closed-set, and p=0.006 for open-set tests). CONCLUSION: All of the implanted children with malformed inner ear showed benefit of auditory perception and speech production. However, the children with inner ear malformation performed less well compared with the children without inner ear dysplasia. This was possibly due to the high proportion of disabilities detected in the dysplastic group, such as CHARGE syndrome and mental retardation. Bilingualism could also be considered as a factor which possibly affects the outcome of implanted children. Therefore, children with malformed inner ear should be preoperatively evaluated for cognitive and developmental delay. In this case, counseling for the parents is mandatory in order to explain the possible impact of the diagnosed disabilities on performance and habilitation.

Are postural restrictions after an Epley maneuver unnecessary? First results of a controlled study and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: Postural restrictions after canalith repositioning maneuvers (CRM) for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo of the posterior semicircular canal (p-BPPV) have no proven value and therefore most physicians regard them as unnecessary. The aim of this study was to assess the short-term efficacy of head and body movement limitations after a single Epley maneuver. A review of the literature was performed to assess the current level of evidence for the efficacy of postural restrictions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-four patients, median age 59 years (range 37-82 years), with p-BPPV, were allocated either to instructions for movement restrictions or free movements for 48 h after a single Epley maneuver. The minimization method was used for allocation to treatment. This procedure 'minimizes' the differences in the distribution of pre-specified prognostic factors (e.g. sex and age) between the two groups of treatment. Minimization was preferred over randomization which is not as effective in balancing baseline characteristics when the number of participants is small. Outcome was assessed by physician and patient reported measures (Dix-Hallpike test, subjective vertigo intensity in a 10-point scale, patient's assessment of improvement) within 1 week after treatment by an independent investigator. The level of statistical significance was 0.05. RESULTS: More patients with movement restrictions reported a subjective improvement after treatment (p=0.007). Ninety percent of patients with movement restrictions and 74.2% of patients with free movements had a negative follow up Dix-Hallpike test but the difference was not significant (p=0.108). The mean pre-treatment vertigo intensity was reduced from 6.07 and 5.97 to 1.18 and 2.86, respectively but the difference was not significant (p=0.122). CONCLUSIONS: Postural restrictions do not increase the efficacy of the canal-repositioning maneuver despite the fact that patients report a subjective improvement after post-procedural instructions. In the review of the literature, all studies except one conclude that postural restrictions are unnecessary. However, a number of methodological issues such as inadequate sample size are not addressed and more conclusive evidence is required. Based on current evidence, the use of postural restrictions after the canal-repositioning maneuver is unjustified.