Clinical application of high-resolution spiral CT scanning in the diagnosis of auriculotemporal and ossicle.

Precision and intelligence in evaluating the complexities of middle ear structures are required to diagnose auriculotemporal and ossicle-related diseases within otolaryngology. Due to the complexity of the anatomical details and the varied etiologies of illnesses such as trauma, chronic otitis media, and congenital anomalies, traditional diagnostic procedures may not yield accurate diagnoses. This research intends to enhance the diagnosis of diseases of the auriculotemporal region and ossicles by combining High-Resolution Spiral Computed Tomography (HRSCT) scanning with Deep Learning Techniques (DLT). This study employs a deep learning method, Convolutional Neural Network-UNet (CNN-UNet), to extract sub-pixel information from medical photos. This method equips doctors and researchers with cutting-edge resources, leading to groundbreaking discoveries and better patient healthcare. The research effort is the interaction between the CNN-UNet model and high-resolution Computed Tomography (CT) scans, automating activities including ossicle segmentation, fracture detection, and disruption cause classification, accelerating the diagnostic process and increasing clinical decision-making. The suggested HRSCT-DLT model represents the integration of high-resolution spiral CT scans with the CNN-UNet model, which has been fine-tuned to address the nuances of auriculotemporal and ossicular diseases. This novel combination improves diagnostic efficiency and our overall understanding of these intricate diseases. The results of this study highlight the promise of combining high-resolution CT scanning with the CNN-UNet model in otolaryngology, paving the way for more accurate diagnosis and more individualized treatment plans for patients experiencing auriculotemporal and ossicle-related disruptions.

Validity of endoscopic ossiculoplasty immediately after its introduction for ossicular chain disruption.

BACKGROUND: Transcanal endoscopic ear surgery (TEES) reportedly requires a long learning curve and may be associated with more complications and longer operative times than microscopic ear surgery (MES). In this study, we aimed to examine the usefulness and validity of TEES for ossicular chain disruption in the early stages of its introduction in our institution. METHODS: TEES was performed on 11 ears (10 with congenital ossicular chain discontinuity and 1 with traumatic ossicular chain dislocation), and MES was performed with a retroauricular incision on 18 ears (6 with congenital ossicular chain discontinuity and 12 with traumatic ossicular chain dislocation) in a tertiary referral center. Postoperative hearing results, operative times, and postoperative hospital length of stay were retrospectively reviewed. The Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher's exact test was performed to compare variables between the TEES and MES groups. Pre- and postoperative air- and bone-conduction thresholds and the air-bone gap of each group were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon signed-rank was performed to compare the pre- and postoperative air-bone gaps between the diagnoses. RESULTS: No significant differences in the postoperative air-conduction thresholds, bone-conduction thresholds, air-bone gaps, or incidence of air-bone gap ≤ 20 dB were observed between the TEES and MES groups. The air-conduction thresholds and air-bone gaps of the TEES group significantly improved postoperatively. The air-conduction thresholds and air-bone gaps of the MES group also significantly improved postoperatively. No significant difference was observed in the operative times between the groups (TEES group: median, 80 min; MES group: median, 85.5 min). The TEES group had a significantly shorter postoperative hospital stay (median, 2 days) than the MES group (median, 7.5 days). CONCLUSIONS: TEES was considered appropriate for the treatment of ossicular chain disruption, even immediately after its introduction at our institution. For expert microscopic ear surgeons, ossicular chain disruption may be considered a suitable indication for the introduction of TEES.

Analysis of the effect of reconstructing the ossicular chain under otoendoscopy with and without a stapes superstructure.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have been conducted on the effect of the stapes superstructure after ossicular chain reconstruction, but the findings are not uniform. OBJECTIVE: To compare the hearing outcomes of ossicular chain reconstruction with partial ossicular replacement prosthesis (PORP) or total ossicular replacement prosthesis (TORP) under otoendoscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of 111 patients diagnosed with chronic suppurative otitis media were retrospectively analyzed. These patients were divided into PORP group (n = 57) and TORP group (n = 54). They were further subdivided into subgroups PORP-a (with a malleus handle) and PORP-b (without a malleus handle), subgroups TORP-a and TORP-b. Pre- and postoperative audiometric results were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean postoperative air conduction hearing thresholds improvement, mean air-bone gap improvement, and the success rate of reconstruction were significantly higher in the PORP group than in the TORP group (p < .05). The mean postoperative air conduction hearing thresholds improvement and the success rate of reconstruction were significantly higher in the PORP-a group than in the TORP-a group (p < .05); and similar results were concluded in comparison of the PORP-b group and the TORP-b group. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: The stapes superstructure has an important positive effect on the postoperative outcome of endoscopic ossicular chain reconstruction.

Piezoelectric Multi-Channel Bilayer Transducer for Sensing and Filtering Ossicular Vibration.

This paper presents an acoustic transducer for fully implantable cochlear implants (FICIs), which can be implanted on the hearing chain to detect and filter the ambient sound in eight frequency bands between 250 and 6000 Hz. The transducer dimensions are conventional surgery compatible. The structure is formed with 3  × 3 × 0.36 mm active space for each layer and 5.2 mg total active mass excluding packaging. Characterization of the transducer is carried on an artificial membrane whose vibration characteristic is similar to the umbo vibration. On the artificial membrane, piezoelectric transducer generates up to 320.3 mVpp under 100 dB sound pressure level (SPL) excitation and covers the audible acoustic frequency. The measured signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) of the channels is up to 84.2 dB. Sound quality of the transducer for fully implantable cochlear implant application is graded with an objective qualification method (PESQ) for the first time in the literature to the best of the knowledge, and scored 3.42/4.5.

[Advances in research on treatment of tympanosclerosis].

Tympanosclerosis is the hyaline degeneration and calcium deposition of the lamina propria of tympanic membrane and the submucosa of middle ear under long-term chronic inflammatory stimulation. At present, treatment primarily involves the surgical removal of sclerotic foci and reconstruction of auditory ossicular chain. However, excision of sclerotic lesions near critical structures like the facial nerve canal and vestibular window may result in complications like facial paralysis, vertigo, and sensorineural hearing loss. Developing safer and more effective treatments for tympanosclerosis has become an international research focus. Recent years have seen novel explorations in the treatment of tympanosclerosis. Therefore, this article reviews the latest advancements in research on the treatment of tympanosclerosis.

The human middle ear in motion: 3D visualization and quantification using dynamic synchrotron-based X-ray imaging.

The characterization of the vibrations of the middle ear ossicles during sound transmission is a focal point in clinical research. However, the small size of the structures, their micrometer-scale movement, and the deep-seated position of the middle ear within the temporal bone make these types of measurements extremely challenging. In this work, dynamic synchrotron-based X-ray phase-contrast microtomography is used on acoustically stimulated intact human ears, allowing for the three-dimensional visualization of entire human eardrums and ossicular chains in motion. A post-gating algorithm is used to temporally resolve the fast micromotions at 128 Hz, coupled with a high-throughput pipeline to process the large tomographic datasets. Seven ex-vivo fresh-frozen human temporal bones in healthy conditions are studied, and the rigid body motions of the ossicles are quantitatively delineated. Clinically relevant regions of the ossicular chain are tracked in 3D, and the amplitudes of their displacement are computed for two acoustic stimuli.

Middle Ear Ossicular Joint Changes in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Histopathological Study.

OBJECTIVES: Although previous research has indicated inner ear changes in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients, no prior study has explored the middle ear, particularly the ossicles and their joints, in DM patients. This study aimed to investigate whether type 2 DM is associated with middle ear changes, specifically affecting the ossicular chain and joints. METHODS: This study included 47 ears from 25 patients with DM (male = 13, female = 12, age: 51.0 ± 20.5) and age- and sex-matched controls (male = 10, female = 10, age: 54.8 ± 15.9) (sex; p = 1.000, Age; p = 0.991). Otopathological evaluations of the auditory ossicles and incudomalleolar joint (IMJ) were performed using light microscopy. RESULTS: In the IMJ of DM cases, malleus hyalinized cartilage (Malleus hC) and incus hyalinized cartilage (Incus hC) were significantly increased compared with control cases (Malleus hC; DM, 34.17 ± 9.71 µm vs. control 21.96 ± 4.16 µm, p < 0.001) (Incus hC; DM 35.11 ± 10.12 µm vs. control 22.42 ± 4.368 µm, p < 0.001). In addition, bone-line distance was significantly longer than in DM cases than control cases (DM 266.72 ± 59.11 µm vs. control 239.81 ± 35.56 µm p = 0.040). On the other hand, joint discus distance was longer in the control group than in DM cases (DM 96.84 ± 36.80 µm vs. Control 113.63 ± 23.81 µm, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals a notable increase in the hyalinized cartilage layer and bone-line distance accompanied by reducing joint discus distance within the IMJ in DM cases. These findings suggest that DM may influence microjoints, such as the IMJ, and potentially impact auditory function. EVIDENCE LEVEL: N/A Laryngoscope, 134:2871-2878, 2024.

Minimally invasive ossiculoplasty via an endoscopic transtympanic approach.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of ossiculoplasty via a minimally invasive endoscopic transtympanic approach (ETTA). CASE SERIES: We investigated the exposure of target structures (incus and stapes) on 4 human temporal bones by placing an endoscope into the middle ear cleft through the 4 tympanic quadrants. Then, on 3 additional specimens, we performed an incudostapedial disjunction and repaired it with a drop of hydroxyapatite cement via ETTA. We measured the size of tympanic perforation, and the acoustic transfer function of the middle ear (125-8000Hz) before and after repair by placing an insert in the external auditory canal and recording the acoustic signal in the utricle by a microphone. The acoustic signal gain was estimated in dB µV. Exposure was similar in all four quadrants but ergonomics was better with a posteroinferior myringotomy. Ossicular chain repair was conducted successfully in all cases and the acoustic transfer function of the middle ear was significantly improved. Residual tympanic perforation (n=3) was 2±0.3mm in diameter. CONCLUSION: ETTA to reconstruct incudostapedial joint with bone cement was feasible and effective. It opens perspectives for robot-based procedures guided by augmented reality.

Evaluation of the ear ossicles with photon-counting detector CT.

Recently, computed tomography with photon-counting detector (PCD-CT) has been developed to enable high-resolution imaging at a lower radiation dose. PCD-CT employs a photon-counting detector that can measure the number of incident X-ray photons and their energy. The newly released PCD-CT (NAEOTOM Alpha, Siemens Healthineers, Forchheim, Germany) has been in clinical use at our institution since December 2022. The PCD-CT offers several advantages over current state-of-the-art energy-integrating detector CT (EID-CT). The PCD-CT does not require septa to create a detector channel, while EID-CT does. Therefore, downsizing the anode to achieve higher resolution does not affect the dose efficiency of the PCD-CT. CT is an indispensable modality for evaluating ear ossicles. The ear ossicles and joints are clearly depicted by PCD-CT. In particular, the anterior and posterior legs of the stapes, which are sometimes unclear on conventional CT scans, can be clearly visualized. We present cases of congenital anomalies of the ossicular chain, ossicular chain dislocation, tympanosclerosis, and cholesteatoma in which PCD-CT was useful. This short article reports the usefulness of PCD-CT in the 3D visualization of the ear ossicles.

Surgical results of 29 ears with congenital middle ear anomalies; Microscopic vs. endoscopic ear surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Although congenital middle ear anomalies include various types of ossicular anomalies, all of these can be treated by ossiculoplasty or stapes surgery. Transcanal endoscopic ear surgery (TEES) is a minimally invasive surgical method for middle ear disease with an excellent surgical view that has been widely adopted worldwide. To determine the efficacy of TEES for middle ear anomalies, we describe the surgical results and compare the hearing outcomes between patients treated by TEES and microscopic ear surgery (MES). METHODS: A total of 39 ears with congenital middle ear anomalies were treated surgically at the University Hospital of Kochi Medical School between January 2011 and December 2021. In total, 29 ears of 23 patients were included in the study. Demographics, type of anomaly, surgical methods, pre- and postoperative hearing thresholds, and surgical complications were investigated by retrospective chart review. RESULTS: Of the 29 ears, 11 were treated by MES and 18 were treated by TEES. There were no differences in sex, age, preoperative hearing thresholds, or rate of stapes surgery between the two groups. The mean air-bone gap improvement was 20.6 dB in the MES group and 28.8 dB in the TEES group; these values were not significantly different. The median operation time was not significantly different between the MES and TEES groups (125 and 130 min, respectively). The improvements of air conduction in class 1 and 2 (stapes surgery) and class 3 (ossiculoplasty) cases were also not different between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: TEES achieved comparable hearing outcomes to MES without postauricular or endaural incisions. Further, class 1 and 2 anomalies demonstrated hearing improvement similar to class 3 without major complications. Since the surgical field limited around the ossicular chain, coupled with the fact that the middle ear anomaly itself does not exhibit inflammation leading to unfavorable bleeding, TEES is a feasible surgical procedure for all types of congenital ossicular anomalies.

A New Floating Piezoelectric Microphone for Fully Implantable Cochlear Implants in Middle Ear.

OBJECTIVE: Our team designed a long-lasting, well-sealed microphone, which uses laser welding and vacuum packaging technology. This study examined the sensitivity and effectiveness of this new floating piezoelectric microphone (NFPM) designed for totally implantable cochlear implants (TICIs) in animal experiments and intraoperative testing. METHODS: Different NFPM frequency responses from 0.25 to 10 kHz at 90 dB SPL were analyzed using in vivo testing of cats and human patients. The NFPM was tested in different positions that were clamped to the ossicular chains or placed in the tympanic cavity of cats and human patients. Two volunteers' long incus foot and four cats' malleus neck of the ossicular chain were clamped with the NSFM. The output electrical signals from different locations were recorded, analyzed, and compared. The NFPM was removed after the test without causing any damage to the middle-ear structure of the cats. Intraoperative tests of the NFPM were performed during the cochlear implant surgery and the cochlear implant surgery was completed after all tests. RESULTS: Compared with the results in the tympanic cavity, the NFPM could detect the vibration from the ossicular chain more sensitively in cat experiments and intraoperative testing. We also found that the signal output level of the NFPM decreased as the acoustic stimulation strength decreased in the intraoperative testing. CONCLUSION: The NFPM is effective in the intraoperative testing, making it feasible as an implantable middle-ear microphone for TICIs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 134:937-944, 2024.

Anatomic and morphometric examination of auditory ossicles in sheep.

It is important to know the morphometry of the auditory ossicles for middle ear surgical applications. The present study aims to investigate the morphometric measurements of sheep auditory ossicles and the relationship between these ossicles. In this study, 100 malleus, incus and stapes of 50 Akkaraman sheep were examined using at trinocular stereo microscope and a total of 19 morphometric measurements were taken. The mean values of the morphometric measurements were obtained, and correlation analysis was performed between each part of each auditory ossicle. Similarities were found between the measurements of the lengths of the malleus, manubrium mallei and incus, and the width of the base of the stapes with morphometric measurements in human auditory ossicles. A significant positive correlation was found between the length of the malleus with the length of the manubrium mallei, between the length of the incus with the lengths of the long crus and corpus incudis, between the length of the stapes with the lengths of the rostral crus, caudal crus, caput stapedis, and the length and width of the intercrural foramen. Due to the anatomic similarities between sheep and human auditory ossicles, it was concluded that the auditory ossicles of sheep are suitable for use in the training of human ear surgery applications.

Endoscopic ossiculoplasty in traumatic conductive hearing loss with intact tympanic membrane: a five-year experience.

BACKGROUND: Exploratory tympanotomy in cases of traumatic ossicular disruption with intact tympanic membrane is crucial for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Performing this procedure using the endoscope is gaining popularity. Hence, this study aimed to demonstrate varieties of ossicular pathology and their management in our institution. METHODS: A retrospective evaluation was conducted of 136 ears in patients with traumatic ossicular disruption with an intact tympanic membrane, who underwent endoscopic exploratory tympanotomy. A proposed algorithm was followed, to incorporate different traumatic ossicular possibilities. Assessment of hearing outcomes and surgical complications was performed six months post-operatively. RESULTS: Incudostapedial dislocation was the most commonly encountered type of traumatic ossicular disruption (35.3 per cent). Air conduction threshold improved significantly following endoscopic ossiculoplasty, from 50.9 ± 6.35 dB pre-operatively to 22.35 ± 3.27 dB post-operatively, with successful air-bone gap closure. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic ear surgery is effective in the diagnosis and management of challenging cases of post-traumatic ossicular disruption with an intact tympanic membrane.

Advances in research on treatment of tympanosclerosis / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Tympanosclerosis is the hyaline degeneration and calcium deposition of the lamina propria of tympanic membrane and the submucosa of middle ear under long-term chronic inflammatory stimulation. At present, treatment primarily involves the surgical removal of sclerotic foci and reconstruction of auditory ossicular chain. However, excision of sclerotic lesions near critical structures like the facial nerve canal and vestibular window may result in complications like facial paralysis, vertigo, and sensorineural hearing loss. Developing safer and more effective treatments for tympanosclerosis has become an international research focus. Recent years have seen novel explorations in the treatment of tympanosclerosis. Therefore, this article reviews the latest advancements in research on the treatment of tympanosclerosis.

Wideband frequency impedance for diagnosis of ossicular chain abnormality.

BACKGROUND: The accurate estimation of the ossicular chain abnormalities using existing functional examinations has been difficult. AIMS/OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to verify the accuracy of preoperative diagnosis of ossicular chain abnormalities using a wideband frequency impedance (WFI) meter, which can measure the dynamic characteristics of the middle ear. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study. Fourteen ears of patients with ossicular chain abnormalities that were definitively diagnosed surgically were included in this study. The following data were collected for each participant: sound pressure level (SPL) curve measured using the WFI meter and a sweep frequency impedance (SFI) meter, WFI measurements plotted on the resonance frequency (RF)-ΔSPL plane, distribution map of the dynamic characteristics of the middle ear, preoperative audiometry results, and the definitive surgical diagnosis. RESULTS: The SPL curve obtained using the WFI meter had lesser noise than that obtained using the SFI meter. The distribution map revealed that the ossicular chain separation range and ossicular chain fixation range were completely separated. The hearing data tended to be poor in cases with small ΔSPL. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: WFI can potentially enhance the accuracy of SFI. In addition, it can also be used for the classification of ossicular chain separation and fixation as well as the quantification of fixation in cases of ossicular chain anomalies that cannot be diagnosed using conventional tests.

[Analysis of medium and long term efficacy of ossicle chain bypass technique in treatment of tympanosclerosis].

Objective:For tympanosclerosis patients with ossicular chain fixation, we use ossicular chain bypass technique and evaluate its long-term effects. Methods:From June 2017 to June 2019, 147 patients with tympanosclerosis who underwent middle ear surgery with otoscopy in Yinchuan First People's Hospital were reviewed. The subjects were divided into three groups according to the implemented operation plan, 51 cases in the ossicular chain mobilization group（OCM）, 56 cases in the ossicular chain bypass reconstruction group（OCB）, and 40 cases in the malleus-incus complex resection reconstruction group（MICR）. Through a three-year follow-up, the medium and long-term effects of different operation plans were compared and analyzed. Results:There was no significant difference among the three groups in the incidence of tympanic membrane perforation, delayed facial nerve palsy, and the dispatch and displacement of PORP. The incidence of tympanic membrane retraction pocket or cholesteatoma after operation in OCB group（0） was significantly lower than that in OCM group（11.76%） and MICR group（7.5%）（P<0.05）. At 12 months after operation, ΔABG of OCB group and MICR group were better than that in the OCM group（P<0.05）. At 36 months after operation, ΔABG of OCB group was better than that in the OCM group（P<0.05）, and there was no significant difference between OCB group and MICR group. The audiological performance of patients with epitympanic sclerosis（ETS） at 12, 24 and 36 months after operation was better than that of patients with posterior tympanosclerosis（PTS） and total tympanosclerosis（TTS）（P<0.05）. Conclusion:Compared with patients undergoing ossicular chain mobilization and malleus-incus complex resection for ossicular chain reconstruction, patients with tympanosclerosis undergoing bypass technique have better and stable hearing prognosis in medium and long term. This technique can effectively prevent the formation of retracted pocket and cholesteatoma in patients with tympanosclerosis after operation.

Diagnosis and management of bilateral lipoma of the middle ear.

INTRODUCTION: Middle ear lipomas are rare, accounting for less than 1% of all middle ear tumours. To our knowledge there have been only 16 reported patients with middle ear lipoma. Only one of these had bilateral congenital middle ear lipomas. The aim of this review is to comprehensive overview the diagnosis and management of congenital lipomas of the middle ear. METHODS: A literature review was performed searching multiple data bases, using the key words "middle ear", AND "lipoma", AND "congenital". A total of 116 articles were identified. One hundred were excluded on various criteria, leaving 16 articles for detailed review. Additionally, we report the second case of bilateral congenital middle ear lipoma. RESULTS: Based on this case report and literature review, the incidence of middle ear lipomas is greater in paediatric patients than in adult patients. Middle ear lipomas are distributed evenly between males and females. Three patients had recognised genetic syndromes, while five had prior ventilation tube placement. Clinically patients present with conductive hearing loss and middle ear effusions. In some cases, presence of a white or yellow mass behind the anterior aspect of the tympanic membrane is recognised. The most common location of the masses is in the anterosuperior quadrant of the middle ear, the site of predilection for small congenital cholesteatomas. An MRI scan is most useful in distinguishing between lipoma and cholesteatoma. All cases reported surgical excision of the middle ear lipoma. There was no evidence of recurrence noted up to 4 years follow up. CONCLUSION: Though rare, congenital lipomas of the middle ear should be a differential diagnosis of a middle ear masses. Early identification can allow surgical lipoma resection with minimal disruption to the ossicular chain. Though there is currently no consensus regarding management, surgical removal and appropriate reconstruction of the ossicular chain if needed, is appropriate.

Surgical outcome in class 4 congenital anomalies of the ossicular chain: a systematic review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: To review hearing and surgical outcomes after reconstructive middle ear surgery in class 4 congenital middle ear anomalies (CMEA), e.g., patients with oval- or round window atresia of dysplasia. DATA SOURCES: Pubmed/Medline, Embase and Cochrane library. REVIEW METHODS: Articles containing data on hearing outcomes and complications after reconstructive ear surgery in class 4 anomalies were analyzed and critically appraised. The following data were included and reviewed: patient demographics, audiometric testing, surgical techniques, complications, revision surgeries and their outcomes. Risk of bias was determined, and GRADE certainty of evidence was assessed. Primary outcomes were postoperative air conduction thresholds (AC), change in AC, and success rates (closure of the ABG to within 20 dB), the occurrence of complications (most importantly sensorineural hearing loss) and the long-term stability of hearing results (> 6-month follow-up) and occurrence of recurrence of preoperative hearing loss. RESULTS: Success rates varied from 12.5 to 75% at long-term follow-up with larger cohorts reporting success rates around 50%, mean postoperative gain in AC varied from 4.7 to 30 dB and - 8.6 to 23.6 dB at, respectively, short- and long-term follow-up. No postoperative change in hearing occurred in 0-33.3% of ears, and recurrence of hearing loss occurred in 0-66.7% of ears. SNHL occurred in a total of seven ears across all studies of which three experienced complete hearing loss. CONCLUSION: Reconstructive surgery can be an effective treatment option which should be considered in patients with very favorable baseline parameters, while also considering the substantial risk of recurrence of hearing loss, the possibility of unchanged hearing despite surgery and the rare occurrence of SNHL. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2c.

Impact of Otosclerosis on Auditory Ossicle Remodeling: A Scanning Electron Microscopy Analysis of Stapes Head Overloads.

BACKGROUND Otosclerosis is a pathology that interferes with the conduction of vibrations to the inner ear, triggering changes in the auditory ossicles and their associated joints due to mechanical overload. This study primarily aims to evaluate these overload-induced modifications in the stapes head resulting from the immobilization of the base of the third auditory ossicle in otosclerosis patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS We conducted a comparative analysis of patients undergoing their first surgery for otosclerosis. The test group consisted of 31 patients who underwent stapedotomy between 2020-2021. For comparison, we utilized a control group comprising stapes samples extracted during vestibular schwannoma surgeries via a transcochlear approach. A prospective analysis of bone tissue surface topography and chemical composition was executed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). RESULTS SEM analysis of the stapes head in otosclerosis patients relative to the control group displayed no significant differences in chemical composition or the presence of otosclerotic foci. Nonetheless, various forms of bone tissue surface damage were noted on the stapes head in all otosclerosis patients. Mild changes were evident in 90% of the samples, while small linear bone tissue fractures were observed in 58% of the samples. Furthermore, minor osteophytic changes were detected in 16% of the samples. CONCLUSIONS The immobilization of the stapes base by otosclerotic foci instigates overloads in the incus-stapes joint, leading to the eventual remodeling of the stapes head articular surface.

Is pre-operative audiometry a reliable predictor of ossicular chain condition?

OBJECTIVE: Investigation of ossicular chain (OC) status before surgery is important for preoperative patient consultation. This research aimed to investigate the relationship between pre-operative audiometric values and intra-operative OC condition in a relatively large population of chronic otitis media (COM) surgeries. METHODS: In this descriptive-analytic cross-sectional study, we evaluated 694 patients who underwent COM surgeries. We analyzed pre-operative audiometric data and intraoperative findings including ossicular anatomy, ossicular mobility, and the condition of middle ear mucosa. RESULTS: The optimal cut-off values of pre-operative speech reception threshold (SRT), mean air-conduction (AC), and mean air-bone gap (ABG) for predicting OC discontinuity were 37.5 dB, 37.2 dB, and 28.4 dB, respectively. For the prediction of OC fixation, the optimal cut-off points of SRT, mean AC, and mean ABG were 37.5 dB, 40.3 dB, and 32.8 dB, respectively. The computing of Cohen's d (95 % confidence interval) demonstrated the greater mean ABG in ears with OC discontinuity in comparison with ears with normal ossicles in all types of pathologies. There was a descending trend of Cohen's d from cholesteatoma to tympanosclerosis and then to granulation tissue and hypertrophic mucosa. There was a substantial relation between the type of pathology and OC status (P < 0.001). Ears with tympanosclerosis plaque had the most fixed OC among all types of pathologies (40 ears, 30.8 %), and ears with no pathology had the most normal OC (135 ears, 83.3 %). CONCLUSIONS: The results supported the view that pre-operative hearing is a key determining factor for the prediction of OC status.